On a day that acknowledges our calling as Christians to be anti-slavery and work for the common good and dignity of all in accordance with Catholic Social Teaching, we are sharing a beautiful reflection derived from the Catholic Bishop’s conference on St Josephine Bakhita, patron saint saint of victims of modern slavery and human trafficking. Please contact caritas@prcdtr.org.uk to learn more about anti-human trafficking initiatives here in our Diocese.
Reflection by Fr Mark E. Odion
Fr Mark E. Odion, MSP Policy & Research Analyst at CBCEW shares his reflection on Saint Josephine Bakhita.
“Saint Josephine Margaret Bakhita is a symbol of hope in the midst of suffering. She saw her enslavement as her process of evangelisation and conversion. In the midst of her suffering, her hope led her not to discover a slave master who might inflict less punishment on her but a process of leading her to Christ, the author of her salvation. She never regretted her enslavement but thanked her slave masters for leading her to Christ.
“Saint Josephine Margaret Bakhita has inspired me in my everyday practice to always trust in Christ in the midst of any difficulty that I find myself. In her, I see a model teaching me to complain in difficult situation but to always trust that there is light at the end of the tunnel: the light of Christ. She has taught me to always have faith in God, especially in times of suffering. In her hope, she came to know God and treasure the process of her salvation. St. Josephine Bakhita, pray for us.”