One day I unwittingly made a mistake that incensed the master’s son. He became furious, snatched me violently from my hiding place, and began to strike me ferociously with the lash and his feet. Finally he left me half dead, completely unconscious. Some slaves carried me away and lay me on a straw mat, where I remained for over a month. A woman skilled in this cruel art [tattooing] came to the general’s house…our mistress stood behind us, whip in hand. The woman had a dish of white flour, a dish of salt and a razor. When she had made her patterns; the woman took the razor and made incisions along the lines. Salt was poured into each of the wounds. My face was spared, but six patterns were designed on my breasts, and 60 more on my belly and arms. I thought I would die, especially when salt was poured in the wounds… it was by a miracle of God I didn’t die. He had destined me for better things. St Josephine Bakhita
St Josephine Bakhita 1869- 8th of February 1947 is the patron saint of Sudan and regarded as the patron of victims of human trafficking. She is the only Sudanese saint. She is the first African to be canonized since the early centuries of Christianity where the early Church was established and produced several saints. Cannonised in 2000 on 1st October remembering her is a wonderful start to black history month.
A Catholic charity Bakhita House Project based in the UK that works with victims of human trafficking aiming to provide refuge and professional help to those affected. To contribute to the charity click here
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