“St. Josephine Bakhita” by Jen Norton. 11×14″ Acrylic on wood, $750. Original available at The Sacred Art Gallery.
Pray and God Will Do the Rest
From Saint Josephine Bakhita, we can learn the simple truth of faith that in prayer and forgiveness we find everything we need.
Saint Josephine Bakhita was born in Sudan in the Darfur region. As a child, she was sold into slavery, and while enslaved she was brutally beaten and physically mutilated. In 1883, she was sold to an Italian consul who took her to Italy, where he gave her to his friend, Augusto Michieli. She became a babysitter for his children and went with them to their school in Venice, run by the Canossian Sisters.
There Josephine Bakhita fell in love with Christ and was drawn to the Catholic Church. She was baptized and confirmed in 1890. When it became clear that she had actually been free since 1885 since slavery was illegal in Italy, she joined the Canossian Sisters as a religious sister. What is most notable about St. Bakhita is her profound forgiveness. She forgave those who abused and enslaved her, because without her life including that painful path wrought with suffering, she never would have found Jesus Christ.
About the Art
In this work, the story of her early life in Sudan is told on the left with an African-style dwelling, tree, colors, and patterns. As you move clockwise, you see her being led away by Arab slave traders. In this area, the sky is darker, less colorful, windy… but the Spirit (shown as the birds) still flies with her.
Her story takes lots of twists and turns, but through it all, she kept hope and prayed, and eventually the “sun” came out on her and she found peace and freedom in the arms of Christ, symbolized by the lilies at the bottom right. The arch with the cross around her is a symbol of her “home” with the Canossian Sisters. Throughout the work, the bright colors and patterns of her homeland are consistent, but her “stance” goes from one of enslavement to holiness and freedom, symbolized by the broken chain — dark to light. She remains herself, added scars and all, but more fully alive.
Love and Let God Do the Rest
Her story also reminds us that prayer is what we need most in turbulent times. This is why I choose St. Bakhita’s quote, “Pray and God will do the rest” for this painting. Prayer opens our hearts to understanding that goes beyond the confusion of political ideals and fears. It helps us enter into communion with God and realize that He is bigger than all that weighs us down.
Prayer opens our hearts to understanding that goes beyond the confusion of political ideals and fears.
This is especially relevant right now. There is a lot of evil going on in the world, and a lot of suffering in vulnerable and marginalized groups. When it comes to voting and having an impact on others, God wants me to make decisions out of love, and let Him take care of the rest. My decision won’t be the deciding force of solving all problems, and that is okay. I am just asked to love God, and love my neighbor as myself. How each of us does this depends on the path we’ve walked to this point and our background, upbringing, and season of life, so we all see the world in a unique way. All voices are necessary in the Halleluia choir.
