القديسة بخيتة الطوباوية .. (سيرة أبناء الجنوب فى الخرطوم)

Quote: St. Bakhita القديسة بخيتة، اول قديسة مسيحية سودانية فى الفاتيكان. القديسة جوزفين بخيتة ولدت فى السودان عام 1869 وتوفيت فى ايطاليا عام 1947. اطلق عليها تجار الرقيق الذين خطفوها اسم بخيتة. وبيعت اكثر من مرة فى سوق الرقيق فى الابيض وفى الخرطوم. ثم اشتراها نائب القنصل الايطالى فى الخرطوم، وعاملها معاملة حسنة. وادخلها المسيحية وصار اسمها جوزفين. وعندما عاد نائب القنصل الى ايطاليا اصطحب بخيتة معه. والتحقت هناك بمعهد (بنات الرحمة والاحسان) اللاهوتى لدراسة المسيحية. فى 17 مايو1992 اطلق البابا يوحنا الثانى لقب المبروكة على جوزفين بخيتة واعلن قداستها. وفى الاول من اكتوبر عام 2000 صارت جوزفين بخيتة قديسة حسب تقاليد الكنيسة الكاثوليكية. وهى مرتبة رفيعة للغاية تقديرآ لتضحياتها واعمالها. Josephine Bakhita was born in Sudan in 1869 and died in Schio (Italy) in 1947. This African flower, who knew the anguish of kidnapping, slavery and torture, bloomed marvelously in Italy, in response to God's grace, close to the Daughters of Charity. Bakhita, which means "fortunate one," is the name given her by her kidnappers. Sold and resold in the markets of El Obeid and Khartoum, she experienced the humiliations and the sufferings of slavery, both physical, mental and moral. Fortunately, Bakhita encountered a good owner, who didn't use the lash when giving orders and treated her in a loving and cordial way. She later celebrated the sacraments of Christian Initiation and was given the name, Josephine, on January 9, 1890. Bakhita joined the religious institute of the Daughters of Charity of Canossa on December 8, 1896. On May 17, 1992, Josephine Bakhita was beatified by Pope John Paul II. She was proclaimed Saint on October 1, in the Jubilee year 2000. This icon was commissioned by the Canossian Community in Albuquerque, New Mexico for the canonization of Sr. Josephine Bakhita. "The painting (writing) of this icon of St. Bakhita was a most profound meditation for me. I believe through Bakhita's passion and suffering she can obtain for us in heaven great graces of the resurrection which flow out of forgiveness." William Hartt McNichols