Saint Bakhita’s Day Patron Saint of Modern Day Slavery February 8th
Webmaster • February 3, 2024
Saint Josephine Bakhita, who herself was sold into slavery, is the patron saint of human trafficking survivors. Her feast day is February 8th and it provides an important opportunity to reflect and pray for an end to slavery, exploitation, and trafficking.
Saint Bakhita was born in 1869, in a small village in Darfur, Sudan. While still a young girl around 7 years old, she was kidnapped and sold into slavery. Her captors asked for her name but in her fear, and as a result of the trauma, she was unable to remember. Mocking her, they named her “Bakhita,” which means “fortunate”. During her time of captivity she was tortured by her various owners. She suffered brandings and beatings on many occasions. Once her owners cut her 114 times and poured salt in her wounds to make sure that the scars remained.
During these early years of her life, she did not know Christ but she did believe in a Creator and had great awe and wonder for his creation. Eventually, after exchanging hands five or six times, Saint Bakhita found herself serving as a caretaker for a young girl at a school in Venice run by the Canossian Sisters. Bakhita was very intrigued by the Catholic faith. She learned many things from the sisters and was eventually baptized by the name “Josephine Margaret”. Against the will of her owner, who wanted to take her back to Africa, she went before the Italian courts seeking her freedom. The courts declared that Bakhita was a free woman because slavery had been outlawed in both Italy and the Sudan and they allowed her to stay in Italy. Saint Bakhita was attracted to the religious life and entered the Canossian Sisters where she remained for about forty five years. She lived out the rest of her days serving God and her community and teaching others to love Him with great faithfulness. Saint Bakhita died in 1947.
Saint Josephine Bakhita was canonized in 2000 in St. Peter’s Square. At the mass, Pope John Paul II said that in Saint Josephine Bakhita, “We find a shining advocate of genuine emancipation. The history of her life inspires not passive acceptance but the firm resolve to work effectively to free girls and women from oppression and violence, and to return them to their dignity in the full exercise of their rights.”
“Saint Josephine Bakhita, witness of redemptive suffering and generosity, pray for us!”
Information supplied by The Bakhita Foundation.
Prayer for Victims of Human Trafficking
We pray for the victims of human trafficking that they may be helped to rebuild their lives
after the traumatic experiences they have gone through.
We pray that we, as the Church, will continue to defend victims of human trafficking.
We pray for our governments that they may make and implement laws that will protect victims of modern-day slavery.
We pray for those organisations dedicated to eradicating modern day slavery that they will be courageous
in the face of challenges.
We pray for those caring for the victims of human trafficking,
that their efforts to help the vulnerable and traumatised may continue. Amen
Prayer from the Santa Marta Group
Farewell and goodbye can often evoke feelings of sentiment, sadness, and departure, but they also mark an occasion of joy and the renewal of hope. We must trust in ourselves to move from the ordinary into the extraordinary, from this moment here in Horsham to every corner of the world. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we are called to be available to all who wish to collaborate, share, and grow together. As I say goodbye, I carry with me all the cherished memories of your loving care, comforting hugs, and unwavering support. I thank you from the bottom of my heart, knowing that you will be there for me, even as I embark on my ministry and face times of need. A special thanks to Fr. Tristan for your kindness—you have made this year a memorable one for me. The portrayal of Pentecost in the Gospel is a vibrant and powerful image of the early church, awakened as an active missionary community. The Holy Spirit descends upon the apostles, with tongues of fire alighting on their heads, breathing new life into this group. The transformation is nothing short of radical: once fearful and hiding in the upper room, they are now emboldened, inspired to go into the marketplaces and boldly proclaim the crucified Christ they believe in. They are no longer the trembling individuals they once were. They have been changed, transformed into a new creation—enthusiastic, eloquent, and with a profound sense of their vocation. The first Pentecost was indeed a striking and exciting moment in the life of the Church. However, the coming of the Holy Spirit is not a singular event confined to the Church’s foundation. The gift of the Holy Spirit, which was given at Pentecost, is still available to the worshipping community here in Horsham, provided we are open and willing to receive it. The Holy Spirit works through human beings like ourselves, depending on our willingness to respond to His promptings. This feast day offers us an excellent opportunity to reflect on how we are using the gifts God has entrusted to us. While our gifts may not always be as spectacular as those that amazed the onlookers at the first Pentecost, their value is no less significant. What matters most is how we use our talents for the benefit of others—whether we are a patient father, a loving mother, a good listener, a generous giver, or someone who takes time for the elderly and the needy. Let us all pray together: "Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful and enkindle in them the fire of Your love." My contact details: Fr. Xavier Amirdasamy, PP and VF. St. Joseph’s RC Church, THIRUVALLUVAR NAGAR, LALGUDI S.O. TRICHY Dt-621702. Tamil Nadu, South India. Mobile and WhatsApp +919443247835, Email xasun@yahoo.com.
Our ‘normal’ weekday Mass times will be changing from Monday 16th June, once Fr Xavier departs. The new schedule will be as follows: Monday - 12 noon, Tuesday - 7:30 in the morning, Wednesday – no Mass, Thursday – 12 noon, Friday – 12 noon. Occasionally, we may find we need to alter a ‘normal’ weekday Mass time, so please continue to check the weekly Mass times that are published in our Newsletter and on the website.
THIS WEEKEND’S SECOND COLLECTION - is for World Communications Day, which supports the Church’s apostolate in the mass media. The theme for this year, chosen by the late Pope Francis, is ‘Share with gentleness the hope that is in your hearts.’ (cf. 1 Peter 3:15-16) You can donate via the baskets or the card machines at the back of the church. Please note that this is not a Gift Aid-eligible collection. Thank you for your generosity.
When Jesus ascended into heaven, he vanished from the Apostles' sight, and they spent a short while gazing into heaven. But as they looked up two men in white robes appeared before them and asked them what they were doing. 'Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven?' (Acts 1:11) It was a rhetorical question, and one that we could pose of ourselves. 'Looking into heaven' is clearly a good thing to do! After all, it is where Christ, risen from the dead, and now ascended, has taken His seat to reign. Indeed, St Paul tells the Colossians to keep gazing in his direction: 'If you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.' (Col 3:1-2) After the Ascension, our lives must surely be ones of contemplation, constantly putting before ourselves the face of Jesus, and the mystery of His death and Resurrection for us, and the glory to which he calls us. However, still the angelic figures in Acts ask the Apostles 'Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven?' The reason why is given immediately, when they add: 'This Jesus, who was taken from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.' (Acts 1:11) The concern of these heavenly messengers is that the Apostles do not think that Jesus's story is now complete. In fact, He will return to earth, just as He had taught them before, from the throne of the Father, as Judge of humanity (cf. Mt 25:31ff). We should never for a moment live our lives as if Jesus's story is done and dusted. In fact, like the disciples, apart from gazing into heaven, we need to keep our eyes open to observe the world around us in the here and now. The disciples are not to rest on their laurels having witnessed the Ascension. Instead, they must go straight to Jerusalem and take up the task the Lord left them to spread His Gospel. In order to do this, they will need the baptism of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost (cf. Acts 1:5) The Holy Spirit, far from making them 'other worldly' - members of a sect who will no longer be concerned with the world's affairs - actually sends them into the world in a new way. We are constantly being called and empowered by the same Spirit to do likewise. In the face of great changes in our local church at this time, as we prepare to become one parish with the other communities of our diocese, we will also need to invoke the Holy Spirit's help, and Jesus's presence within us, bringing heaven and earth together. We will need both contemplation and action.
This Thursday sees the great feast of the Ascension (a Holy Day of Obligation, and there will be two Masses in the parish to help you attend!) Jesus's return to the Father marked a profound turning point for the Apostles, when they entered a new phase in their discipleship. After forty days of being with them in his newly risen way of being, He instructed them to "stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high". And so began nine days of intense prayer and rejoicing together, until the day of Pentecost when that promised power - in the form of Jesus' Holy Spirit - would come upon them and remain with them, sending them out into the city streets, and into the world, manifested at last as the Church. This nine days of prayer is the pattern for the liturgical period between Ascension and Pentecost, known as the 'Novena'. Traditionally, we pray each day for a different gift of the Holy Spirit to be given to us, empowering us to live our vocation. You can easily find the full formula of prayer to use online, but here's a brief version, just in case it is useful. Happy Novena! Prayer for each day: "Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your divine love. Send forth your spirit and they shall be created, and you shall renew the face of the earth. O God, who has taught the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit, grant that by the gift of the same Spirit we may always be truly wise and ever rejoice in his consolation. Through Christ, Our Lord. Amen." Intention for Day 1 (Friday after Ascension) For the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit Day 2 (Saturday after Ascension) For the gift of Holy Fear Day 3 (7th Sunday of Easter) For the gift of Piety Day 4 (Monday) For the gift of Fortitude Day 5 (Tuesday) For the gift of Knowledge Day 6 (Wednesday) For the gift of Understanding Day 7 (Thursday) For the gift of Counsel Day 8 (Friday) For the gift of Wisdom Day 9 (Saturday) For the fruits of the Holy Spirit
After the best part of two wonderful years with us, Fr Xavier will be returning to his home diocese in India in mid-June. On Friday 30th May we will hold a special Thanksgiving Mass for him, at which Bishop Richard and priests from across the Deanery will be present. The Mass will start at 6pm and will be followed by a Party in the Hall from 7:30pm. We hope to see as many of you there as possible, to give Fr Xavier a memorable send-off! Please bring a dish to share, savoury or sweet. We’d love the food you bring to be representative of the various cultural communities that make up our wonderful parish family! Drinks will be provided.
'Baptised people of God/walk towards your light/Christ the Lord is risen/Alleluia!' We sang these words along with thousands of others on a Sunday in Lourdes a few weeks ago, during the Entrance Procession for the International Mass, which takes place in the vast underground basilica of St Pius X. It was a joyful reminder of the connection between our baptism and the Resurrection, which should really be a daily meditation for us as Christians. It reminds us that Baptism is not just an initiation ceremony or act of witness, it is a real participation in the rising of the son of God to life eternal! St Paul reminds the Christians of Rome: "we were buried therefore with Him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life." (Rm 6:4) The life of the Risen One we receive is something 'new'. In 21st Century Western culture we are obsessed by novelty: so much of what we own is ‘brand new' or the 'latest thing'. But 'newness' in the Biblical context cannot mean something disposable. It is the property of Himself who is ageless and without time. It is, put plainly, divine Love: that power to gaze steadfastly on the true good and become united with it afresh in every moment, in everrenewing wonder, without fatigue or decay. Our Christian life needs to be a constant renewal of love. Every hour of every day brings challenges, but the goal is to see every hour in its 'newness'. Every prayer, no matter how familiar or repetitious to us, is Jesus's Word spoken anew. The sad thing is that we see our Christian life as something blasé; a key indicator of this is that we stop trying to grow. When we are challenged by a homily or a passage in Scripture, we think "I've heard that before and I already know what that means." When asked to help in the parish, we say to ourselves "no thanks; I've done my bit already". We assume we know how to 'do' faith. We have no desire to increase our knowledge, our outreach, our relationship with Christ or others. Since the flower of eternal life has already been planted in us in the seed of grace, we should take care not to stifle its growth through a sense of over-familiarity. We can never be too familiar with the Persons of the Trinity who dwell within the soul filled with grace, just as They do not feel too 'familiar' in being united with us. We are to be open to life with Them forever. Especially crucial to this, and beautiful, is that encounter with the Son that we make so frequently, which is Communion with Christ's Risen Body in the Eucharist. Let us pray for our young people who will make this encounter for the first time this weekend! Throughout their lives, may they receive Holy Communion lovingly and always with a sense of doing something 'new'. May all our Communions, too, be warm and affectionate meetings with the Risen Lord, who sacrificed Himself for us, and draw from us a grateful 'Alleluia', each and every week!
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, Writing in the Acts of the Apostles, St Luke records St Peter’s words to the Sanhedrin: “We are witnesses to all this.” This is as true for us as it was for the Apostles. The history of the Church gives us so many examples of martyrs and confessors of faith who put their witnessing to the Resurrection before all else. We are their successors and we share their responsibility. This may seem a daunting task but, like them, we are guided by the Holy Spirit. At this time when the Cardinals are preparing for the conclave, let us pray for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon them, in their solemn task of electing the next successor of St Peter. I ask your prayers, too, for the young people of our Diocese who, over the coming weeks, will receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit in the Sacrament of Confirmation. This is an important moment for each of them, as they take this very significant step on the path of discipleship. It is also a time of celebration for the whole Diocese, as we rejoice in their openness to the life of the Gospel and pray that they will take their place in the mission of the Church. With every blessing,
IMPORTANT: Saturday 26th April 2025 Due to Pope Francis’ funeral Mass taking place at 9:00am BST this coming Saturday, morning Mass at St John’s will be celebrated at 8:00am, with no Adoration, Benediction or Confession.