Today in the Catholic church is the feast of a saint from the Sudan – she was cannonized in 2000 by John Paul II.
Josephine Bakhita was born in Darfur in 1868 and sold into slavery at the age of seven. St. Josephine Bakhita – Saint of the Day – American Catholic
During his homily at her canonization Mass in St. Peter’s Square, Pope John Paul II said that in St. Josephine Bakhita, “We find a shining advocate of genuine emancipation. The history of her life inspires not passive acceptance but the firm resolve to work effectively to free girls and women from oppression and violence, and to return them to their dignity in the full exercise of their rights.”
With all the catastrophes in Africa – especially in Darfur – if you believe in the intercession of the saints …!
And here is a bit more about her, from the Vatican website – Mother Josephine Bakhita
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