Bakiita's faith has grown in her months with the Kenosian sisters. She's learned to pray and has even begun the difficult task of forgiving her tormentors. But when she refuses Maria's demand that she return to Africa, her faith is put to the test and she faces the greatest trial of her life. The Saints Adventures of Faith and Courage Josephine Bakiita, Episode 5, The Fortune at One. Listen to all the episodes and discover new shows at TheSaintsPodcast.com. But I cannot lose God. I knew it Maria. I knew from the moment the suggestion fell from Chakine's lips that this was a mistake. Maria, these months here have been the happiest gift of my life. Oh, has your time with my family been so miserable? Your family means everything to me. And now you hurt me further with your lies. I speak the truth Maria. And how could you treat me with such coldness? Just allow me to stay until I can be baptized. And out of the question. Then allow me to do so once we arrive in Sudan. My answer is no. Why do you desire to keep this from me? Because it's nonsense Bakiita. It's the truth that I've been aching for since I was a child. You're still a child Bakiita. An experience in the real way of the world. And clearly incapable of making wise decisions. I refuse to leave you in the hands of such lunacy. You will return with me. And then answer is no. You are my servant. And I'm happy to be so. But if you ask me to choose you of a God. I do ask that of you. And I would choose you before some stern and silent deity always. Why won't you do the same for me? Because he isn't stern or silent. He's been calling to me ever since I was a child. He's the source of all that is good. And he's making himself known to me in this place. I've ached for that for so long. I cannot go without it any longer. I cannot go with you. You've broken my heart Bakiita. The spirit of God had filled me with holy courage. He spoke the truth when my own affection for Maria would have handed it. It pained me to hurt my dear friend so deeply to say goodbye to the family that had in many ways become my own. God would soon make good of it. But the storm would first rage harder. Bakiita. What is it, Sister Fabetti? Senora Michieli has returned. She didn't live for swacking. She's brought someone with her. As it turns out, Maria was far from resigned to my decision. Over the next several days, she would visit with the various companions. All of whom tried to convince me to give in to her request. Think of Mimina, that precious little girl adores you Bakiita. How could you break her heart like this? Convince is too kind a word. I was bullied, gifted by my friend and her companions. But by God's continued grace, I stood my ground. Eventually, set up with Maria's arm twisting, the raven superior of the institute wrote to Cardinal Dominico Agostini on my behalf. His position was clear. It's very simple, my dear. There is no slavery in this country. She can force you to do nothing. This only inspired Maria to redouble her efforts. A hearing. A completely informal one at best. A room full of people speaking out on her behalf? Illuminato against me? Bakiita, she's trying to frighten you. She's succeeding. I've seen her temper before. She won't let this go until I'm torn away from here and dragged with her to Sudan. She has absolutely no legal grounds and she knows that. Why then? Is she carrying on? She's confused and desperate. Does it know how to reconcile her affection for you with the fact that she's never been denied anything in her life? I'm not anything, Illuminato. I'm her friend. Of course you are, Karamia. She once called me sister. How could she treat me like this Illuminato? I've been kidnapped. I've been beaten and scarred. I've been scorned as less than human. But to be betrayed by one who says she loves me? This pain, this is pain that I don't think I can bear. It's alright, Bakiita. It's alright. Repeat after me. For God alone my soul waits in silence. For God alone my soul waits in silence. He alone is my rock, my salvation, my fortress. He alone is my rock, my salvation, my fortress. I shall never be shaken. I shall never be shaken. Listen to me Bakiita. You're right. This is a horrible thing for her to put you through. But endure the next 24 hours and it will be over. This isn't a true hearing. She can lay no claim to you. It's merely a final attempt at strong armying you into submission. It will be rough. But I promise you I'll be right by your side. As will Jesus. You need not be afraid. It will not surprise you to hear that I could not sleep at all that night. So I played as I'd never played in my life. I'm so afraid Jesus. I don't know how I can face this. I wish that my mother were here with me. I wish that all holy mother, please be my mother in this time. Hold me close to you just as my mother used to do. I need to feel your embrace mother. He'll marry full of grace. He'll know what this will be. Eventually the dawn came and the hour arrived. Maria brought with her the same collection of companions to speak on her behalf. Seeing little Mimina nearly broke my heart. May I hold her, Maria? I'd rather you didn't. Not until this is resolved. But just as a lumenato promised, he was righted by my side. As was Father Jacopo, de assist the Foupletti and many of the other sisters of the Institute. Bless them all when arguments had been heard from both parties. Cardano Acostini spoke. Thank you all for your forthright testimony as regards these two women here. I'm sure they're grateful for the support they've received from you. Yes. I'd like to invite them both at this point to speak. Let us offer them the same patient attention that they have given you. Senior Amikielli, will you please begin? I wasn't only child. I grew up alone. Lonely. I saw the joy of those friends who were surrounded by brothers and sisters and I... I wanted that. You became a sister to Mibakita. My first, my only. You filled that ache. But it seems that I've been terribly naive. I understand now that I've been no more to you than an employer. And I'm so embarrassed. And I'm so hurt. And I won't let you stay behind. You belong with my family. With me. You belong to... To... Please. Don't leave me behind. Bakita. Speak. Speak, Holy Spirit. I've dreaded the thoughts of having to defend myself against you, Maria. I feared that I would be blinded by my anger, my heart. But I find now that I desire only to speak on your behalf. My heart aches for you, Miyasorella. It aches for your loneliness. It aches that you would feel so unwanted. It aches because I've brought you this unintended pain. And it aches because you look for comfort everywhere but in the one who can truly give it. My heart too has known such emptiness, Maria. But it can be filled. Here in this place I'm coming to know the one who can feel it. Come with me on that journey sister. Whether I go with you or stay behind, I could never feel the ache you feel. The Lord can. And He will. Right to Augusto. Tell Him we cannot yet return. We'll come to know the Lord's consolation here. Together we will stay, Maria. I won't be chosen second. Then I must repeat what I said from the first. I love your family very dearly. I love Augusto. I love Carlo and Mimina. I love you, my sister. But I will not lose God. I believe our conversation has reached its end. Young lady, you will be welcome to remain here at the Institute. No! No! No! Maria. I hope I never see your heart face again. Maria, I was just saying. You keep away from my daughter. Please let me say goodbye to Mimina. Oh please Maria, please. My child, my sweet little girl. It's all right. She'll be all right. Oh I'm so proud of you, Bacchita. It's all right now. I was so upset that I could not speak a word. Sister Fabretti practically carried me to my room. I went there for a long time. When my tears finally subsided, I fell right into prayer. Thanking the Lord for once again, giving me courage. Reliever I had not given in. It was November 29, 1889. But my grief, great thought was, would eventually be turned into sheer joy. When on the feast of the immaculate conception, nine years later, I took my final vow as a kinozian sister. With the help of God's grace, I, Sister Josephine Bacchita, have come to know more deeply the love of Christ and to desire a life completely dedicated to him. I now ask to be allowed to make perpetual vows in this institute of Catechumins of Skio, Italy for the glory of God and the service of the Church. That was 37 years ago. 37 years of loving the Lord more and more every day. 37 years of learning to serve the sons and daughters with joy. I thank him daily for this gift. And for all that he used to make it possible. Mother Bacchita, I don't think we could ever thank you enough for your example of faith and your willingness to share it with us. Now, sisters, as we prepare ourselves for the Bacchita, may I ask you a question. Of course, Sister Leccia. Have you forgiven your kidnapper then? I have. Your churcherus? Yes. Forgive me, mother, but how? Sister Leccia. It's alright, I haven't a mother. If those people were to walk into this church right now. I would kneel down and kiss their hands. So good now, really? But they were viled to you, Mother Bacchita. They had no real understanding of the anguish they caused me. I was the slave. They the masters. It was habit, not malice. Evella came so naturally. I pity them. Mother, if not for them. If not for them, I would never have come to no God. I cannot imagine anything so horrible as that. What of Maria? Have you forgiven her as well? Many times. She should have given you over to the convent with Joy as any true sister would have, but she, of all people, plunged you as if you were some thing. She did, and it was wrong, and it matters not. It... How can you say that? Because, slave or free, what I truly am, what I have always been, is loved. And what ever happens to me on this earth, I am awaited by that love. What else should I think for my life? But a gift. I don't know that I can be as forgiving as you. Will you try? Peace? By peace? Yes. I will, Mother. Then I will say only one thing more. Be good sisters. Love their Lord. Pray for those who do not know Him. What a great grace it is to know the Maker of the Son, the Moon, and the stars. Josephine Bukhita spent half a century as a Kenossian religious sister. Though she lived in Italy for the rest of her life, she remained a true daughter of Africa, speaking frequently about her experiences and her journey to freedom. Her memoirs published late in life made her famous in all of Italy. Everyone who encountered her marveled at her goodness, her irrepressible sweetness, and her unquenchable desire to make God's love known to others. Today, Josephine Bukhita speaks to us with a message of hope, piety, and gratitude. Be good. Love the Lord. Pray for those who do not know Him. What a grace it is to know God. St. Josephine Bukhita pray for us. Hi, this is Peter Atkinson from the Marybeggers. Thank you for listening to The Saints. To listen to more Thrulean Adventures, go to the saintspodcast.com. The Marybeggers is the entertainment division of relevant radio.
