Josephine Bakhita, Saint Medal, Patron of Greeters and Hosts, Caretakers, Nannies, Babysitters, and the Canossian Sisters of Venice

  Josephine’s story began in the 19th Century in the Darfar village, Olgossa, located in Sudan. A member of the Daju, she lived a privileged life in childhood, which lasted until she was kidnapped at the age of 8, by Arab slave traders. Josephine was bought and sold so many times that she forgot her name! Some of her owners treated her well, most others, not so much. Josephine’s initial abductors saw her charm and beauty and presented her with the name “Bakhita,” meaning “fortunate one.’ She was marked and tattooed at age 13, when she was cut over 100 times, with salt used to cleanse her wounds. Her final trade was in 1882, by the Italian Calixto Laganimi  who purchased her and treated her well, compared to previous owners. He ultimately gave her to his friend, Augusto Michieli, who took her to Venice, Italy. He wanted a playmate for his daughter,Mimima. They moved back to Sudan, but Bakhita and Mimmima stayed in Italy, basically loaned to the Order of the Canossa Sisters of Venice, fo