Bakhita

Born in a village in Sudan, Bakhita was kidnapped by slavers, frequently beaten and abused, and later sold to Federico Marin, a Venetian merchant. Brought to Italy, she became a nanny and servant to Marin's daughter, Aurora, who had lost her mother at birth. Treated as an outcast by the peasants and other servants due to her black skin and African background, Bakhita remained kind and generous to others. With the guidance of a kind village priest, she gradually drew closer to God and embraced the Catholic faith. She requested to join the Canossian Sisters, but Marin was reluctant to let her go, treating her more as property than a person. This led to a notable court case that stirred public attention and influenced Bakhita’s path to freedom and her eventual decision to become a nun. She was declared a saint by Pope John Paul II in the year 2000.