Brave and Free · Week 2 · Grades 3–5
Guided Notes: St. Josephine Bakhita
- Name
- Date
- Class
Follow along as your teacher presents. Fill in each section when its slide is on the screen.
St. Josephine Bakhita
Taken from home
Josephine Bakhita was born around 1869 in Darfur, a region of blank 1 in Africa. She had a loving family.
When she was a young child, slave traders kidnapped her. She was so frightened that she forgot her own name. The traders called her Bakhita, which means “fortunate” or “lucky” in blank 2.
For about twelve years she was bought and sold several times. She was treated harshly and could not go home. Even then, she looked at the sun, moon and stars and wondered who made them.
Words to know
Write what each word means.
| Word | What it means |
|---|---|
| Slavery | Write your answer |
| Dignity | Write your answer |
| Baptism | Write your answer |
| Religious sister | Write your answer |
| Canonized | Write your answer |
Free at last
In 1883 an Italian official in Sudan bought Bakhita. He treated her kindly, and two years later she traveled with him to blank 3.
There she cared for a little girl named blank 4. The two stayed with the Canossian Sisters in Venice, who taught Bakhita about God.
When the family wanted her back, Bakhita said no. In blank 5 an Italian court declared that she was free. She was baptized in 1890 and took the name Josephine.
She became a Canossian Sister and served in the town of blank 6 for many years.
Quick check
What does the name Bakhita mean? Circle one.
- A Little star
- B Brave girl
- C Fortunate
- D Far from home
Person or thing?
Bakhita was treated like a thing, but she was a person made by God. Sort each choice. Check one box for each.
| Item | Treats people as persons | Treats people like things |
|---|---|---|
| Learning how to say a new classmate’s name | ||
| Calling someone a mean nickname in a game chat | ||
| Asking before you post a photo of a friend | ||
| Being nice to someone only to get their snack | ||
| Thanking the person who serves your lunch | ||
| Laughing at a video that makes fun of a stranger |
Quick check
How did Bakhita become free? Circle one.
- A An Italian court declared it
- B She sailed home to Sudan
- C A family paid for her freedom
- D She won a prize in Venice
Think, pair, share
Bakhita forgave the people who hurt her, and she greeted everyone at the convent door with kindness. How can you show a person online or in a game that they matter?
Think: my idea before we talk
Sentence starters: “I can show someone they matter by ...”“Forgiving is hard when ...”“One kind thing I can type or say is ...”
Pair: something my partner said
Let us pray
God our Father, you made every person and you love each one.
Help us treat everyone with respect, in person and on screens.
Give us hearts that forgive.
St. Josephine Bakhita, pray for us.
Amen.
My own prayer or intention:
Well done!
Josephine Bakhita died on February 8, 1947. Pope John Paul II canonized her on October 1, 2000. Her feast day is February 8.
One thing I learned today:
One question I still have:
Challenge: This week, learn the name of one person you do not know well and greet them by name every day.