February 8
St. Josephine Bakhita
A nineteenth-century Sudanese woman kidnapped into slavery as a child and sold multiple times before being brought to Italy, where she encountered the faith that transformed her life. She became a Canossian Sister, known for her extraordinary joy and gentleness despite the horrors of her past. Pope John Paul II called her an icon of Christian hope. She is the patron saint of Sudan and trafficking victims.
Why it matters for your parish:
A survivor of slavery whose joy and forgiveness challenge every assumption about suffering and grace. One of the most powerful modern saints — deeply relevant for social justice reflection and any discussion of human dignity.
Graphics for this saint are coming soon.