AFRICAN SAINTS
Wednesday 8th February is the feast of Saint Josephine Bakhita whose life story makes for fascinating reading. She was born in Sudan in 1869 and spent her early life as a slave until she was freed in Italy in 1889. In 1890 she converted to Christianity and joined the Canossian Sisters, remaining in their convent of Schio, Vicenza, for over forty-five years. Her reputation for sanctity grew during her life and increased after her death. She was canonised in 2000 and is the only patron saint of Sudan. It was said, "Her mind was always on God, but her heart was in Africa."
How many other saints from that continent are there? Amazingly, it appears that there are 937 although very few are well known. If you click on this link you will be taken to the Catholic Online page which gives you access to the list. However, it is not always clear from the entries on this list exactly what the link with Africa is.
There is an alternative list on the much maligned Wikipedia which seems to give more logical links to Africa. This can be accessed by clicking here.
Happy reading!
Wednesday 8th February is the feast of Saint Josephine Bakhita whose life story makes for fascinating reading. She was born in Sudan in 1869 and spent her early life as a slave until she was freed in Italy in 1889. In 1890 she converted to Christianity and joined the Canossian Sisters, remaining in their convent of Schio, Vicenza, for over forty-five years. Her reputation for sanctity grew during her life and increased after her death. She was canonised in 2000 and is the only patron saint of Sudan. It was said, "Her mind was always on God, but her heart was in Africa."
How many other saints from that continent are there? Amazingly, it appears that there are 937 although very few are well known. If you click on this link you will be taken to the Catholic Online page which gives you access to the list. However, it is not always clear from the entries on this list exactly what the link with Africa is.
There is an alternative list on the much maligned Wikipedia which seems to give more logical links to Africa. This can be accessed by clicking here.
Happy reading!
