BAKHITA, GIUSEPPINA (JOSEPHINE), ST.

Also known as Madre Moretta (Black Mother), emancipated slave, religious of Daughter of Charity of Canossa (Istituto delle Figlie della Caritá ); b. c. 1869–70, Darfur, the Sudan, North Africa; d. Feb. 8, 1947, at Schio near Vicenza, Venezia, Italy.

Although "Bakhita," meaning "lucky one," is treated as her surname, it was the name given to Giuseppina by the slave traders, who kidnapped the young (about age 7) Islamic girl. She was sold to various owners in the markets of El Obeid and Khartoum, where her fifth master, the Italian Consul Callisto Legnani, purchased her at about age 12. When Legnani returned to Genoa with Bakhita, the wife of his friend Augusto Michieli asked and received permission to keep the slave with her. Bakhita became the nanny to Mimmina Michieli and moved with the family to Zianigo in Venezia. The Michielis returned to Africa to manage a new hotel, but entrusted their daughter and Bakhita to the Canossian Sisters in Venice. There she was formally introduced to the faith. A few months later on Jan. 9, 1890, Bakhita was baptized Giuseppina, confirmed, and received her first Communion. Upon the return of the Michielis, Bakhita adamantly expressed her desire to remain with the Canossians. Signora Michieli claimed ownership but the cardinal archbishop of Venice and the king's procurator intervened to declare her a free woman. She entered the novitiate Dec. 7, 1893 and was consecrated Dec. 8, 1896. Sister Giuseppina served her sisters for 25 years as cook, seamstress, and portress at the houses of Venice, Verona (1896–1902), and Schio (1902–47). She was especially beloved by the students for her sweet nature and musical voice. Before her final illness, Giuseppina traveled throughout Italy to raise money for the missions.

The process for her beatification began 12 years after her death. She was declared venerable Dec. 1, 1978 and beatified by Pope John Paul II on May 17, 1992. After the required post-beatification miracle at Mother Giuseppina's intercession was approved Dec. 21, 1998, the consistory for her canonization was held July 2, 1999. John Paul II canonized this first Sudanese saint Oct. 1, 2000, as a witness to evangelical reconciliation and a model of freedom. The portrait of the former slave now hangs in the cathedral at Khartoum, Sudan. Additionally, the documentary The Two Suitcases was based on her life.

Feast: Feb. 8.

Bibliography: M. Bakhita: Saintly Daughter of Africa Tells Her Story (Harere 1997). Bakhita, (Kinshasa 1983). r. i. zanini, Bakhita (Milan 2000)

[k. i. rabenstein]