The Ligurian Coast 1885. On a fine spring day in Genoa, 16-year-old Bakiita steps onto Italian soil and tastes freedom for the first time since her abduction. What fortune awaits her in this foreign land, and will she ever be truly free? The Saints. Adventures of Faith and Courage. Josephine Bakiita, Episode 3, The Servant. Listen to all the episodes and discover new shows at TheSaintsPodcast.com. It was mid-April when I first set foot on Italian soil sisters and breathing in the scent of general wildflowers. I felt in my bones that my life was somehow beginning unknown. Look at the Baki. Took Signore Lignani and myself to a nearby inn where I was to meet two very important people. Whoa! Whoa! Pinching pennies, Lignani. It got us here on scale. Oh, pity. I've been made out like a king on the business insurance. It's good to see you, Augusto. And you. And please, ignore my husband's geste about the insurance callisto. Maria, what a lovely surprise. I was far too curious to meet the girl you wrote of. Of course, where are my manners? Bakiita? Ah, this is my good friend and business partner Augusto Miquel. Bon giorno, young lady. And his dear Russian wife, Maria. Bon giorno, Signore, Signora. Bakiita. Hmm, Bakiita. That's very pretty. It means fortunate, madam. Please, come here, Maria. If you wish, Maria. Galisto, she's charming. Augusto, shame on you. How could you have returned home without bringing such a girl to our household? Why don't we argue about that inside? Where does food? Walk with me, won't you, Bakiita? I have so many questions. Maria's interest was sincere and we bonded almost at once. But I think sisters, I was something other novelty in her eyes. She was, no, I should not get ahead of myself. All you need to know right now is that by the end of Almyl, a very unexpected decision had been reached. What do you mean? When we arrive in Mirano, I think you should go with Augusto and Maria. But, sir. You could be called away at any time. Then I'll go with you when you do. I can't afford to travel around with you, Bakiita. It isn't practical. Please, sir. You will be working for good people. Their company, their house, their even tutor, not only that. They have a child at home and another on the way. Your nurturing spirit will be put to good use. I do love children. How long you two, Mirano is waiting. Think on it. You'll be excited by the time we arrive. I promise. He was not wrong. I was very sad to say goodbye to the ambassador. But my heart left the very moment Augusto opened their front door. Pa-pa. Carlo, Meito. Did you behave while we were away? No, sir. No, sir. Don't let the little gentleman fool you. Oh, Invinato. Thank you again for keeping him out of trouble. It was about his difficulties keeping a cat out of water. Oh, Carlo, Sonnisho, mama. I've brought a surprise, Cotjona. For me? For you and all of Mirano. Bakiita. Pa-pa-jorno. Carlo, this is Bakiita. She came from Africa with Signor in Nany. She's going to live and work in our home. Well, say hello. Ciao, Pa-kita. Ciao, Carlo. And this Pa-kita is our dear friend and estate manager, Illuminato Cekini. Bonjour, no young lady. Welcome. Thank you, Signor. If I can be of any help as you acclimate, please don't hesitate to ask. And I offer an open invitation to join me at morning mass. Signore? No, Illuminato will have none of that trouble in this household. Now come, Bakiita. Let me show you to your room. That invitation from Illuminato was the first time I heard the word mass. Does that not give you goosebumps? Maria, who happened to rest in a very heistic family, will continue to forbid all talk of God in their home. But they were wonderful to me. The rest of the year flew by. And the next brought a beautiful blessing to the household. Oh my, isn't she precious? My darling baby girl. Bakiita, yes, Maria. Will you hold her for just a little while? I'm so tired. Of course I will. You rest yourself now. Thank you, Bakiita. Hello, me, me, na. Hello, beautiful girl. No, no, no. There's no need to cry. You're safe. I'm right here. And I promise you, I'm not going anywhere. Shortly after me, me, na the bath, or ghost doors called back to Sudan, we all went with him. And for two years, I nan it the Mikiya'li children in my homeland. When it was decided that the move would be permanent, Maria returned to Marano to pack up and sell the house. Not wishing to travel alone, she brought me Mina and myself along with her. It was during this time that I received life changing. But very secret lessons from the family's loyal friend Illuminato. I have a gift for you, Bakiita. For me, Signore. From my recent trip to Rome. Have you seen one of these before? Only in our visits to your house. It's called the crucifix. We've spoken of the mass. Yes, Signore. A crucifix is a kind of portrait of the event that we celebrate at every mass. The sacrifice of this man here. Who is he? His name is Jesus. You celebrate his death? His death and... But why? Because when he died, so did Sin. What is Sin? Have you competed wrongs in your life? Things you've said or done that have caused harm. Yes. So have we all. And through his death, Jesus accepted the consequences so that we wouldn't have to. That's a very precious momento you hold in your hands. Signore, I've never had something to call my own. My dear Bakiita. In a special way, Jesus is very much your own. But not nearly as much as you are his. I don't understand. No one does completely. But don't worry, we'll talk more. In the meantime, keep that safe. Tell me his name once more. Jesus. Jesus. Illuminato became like a father to me. He shared many astonishing stories of this... Jesus. I learned of his radical teachings of his mysterious rising from death. Eventually, the house was sold and it was decided that Maria would return to Sudan to be with Augusto until the cell could be finalized. When do you leave? The next available ship, the parts first thing tomorrow. I'd like to be on it if possible. Alpacmi Minas things. Oh yes, Mimina. That concerns me a little. Bringing her along. One voyage is long and dangerous enough for a toddler. I don't know that I like the risks of subjecting her to two. I would agree. Could the two of us stay here? Here? In Italy? Alone? I can look after Mimina and the house until you return. I don't know, Bacchita. I trust you completely. But you're practically a child yourself. I don't like the idea of leaving you unguarded either. Not if they were to be left in someone's care. Oh no, I couldn't ask that of you, Illuminato. Actually, I had in mind a school. In Mirano? In Venice, the Institute of the Catecuments. Oh, you should know by now I'll not send my daughter or my servant to such a place. If you wish for them to be well looked after, not to mention well school, there's no better place. I don't even think it's something we can afford. I'll pay for it. Of course, it's the true deciding factor you need not worry about that. Please Maria, I'd like to go. Illuminato, you'll see to the arrangements. I certainly will. I still thank God every day for sending me a friend as faithful and generous as Illuminato. Maria's departure was a tearful one. We were sad to be separated. You'll see that Mimina is cared for and happy and of course Maria. And you'll look after yourself as well, won't you? I will. I promise. And yet I could hardly contain my excitement as I imagine what the school might be like. We packed our bags and departed for Venice at once. I was fully unprepared for the joy and the sense of rightness that swelled up within me as we arrived. Illuminato, do the bells ring for us? Of course they do, Bacchita. Here Jesus will freely be able to make himself known to you. Heaven's bells ring out in anticipation. Hi, this is Peter Atkinson from the Mary Baggers. Tune in to episode 4, The House of God, to hear the next installment of Josephine Bacchita. Listen to all the episodes and discover news shows at the saintspodcast.com. The Mary Baggers is the entertainment division of relevant radio.
