PARENTAL GUIDANCE SUGGESTED
This movie is not rated, but has mature themes and was created with an adult audience in mind. It contains scenes, including violence, indicative of the life and times of the saint portrayed. We would recommend Parental Guidance and that parents preview it before watching with children.
In 1948, Aurora Marin arrived with her family at the convent of the Canossian Sisters of Schio, Italy, where Sister Bakhita had just died. Aurora was hoping to see her before her death. She gathered her children around the picture of Bakhita, telling them of the incredible life of the woman who raised her as her nanny.
Born in a village in Sudan, kidnapped by slavers, often beaten and abused, and later sold to Federico Marin, a Venetian merchant, Bakhita then came to Italy and became the nanny servant of Federico's daughter, Aurora, who had lost her mother at birth. She is treated as an outcast by the peasants and the other servants due to her black skin and African background, but Bakhita is kind and generous to others. Bakhita gradually comes closer to God with the help of the kind village priest, and embraces the Catholic Faith.
She requests to join the order of Canossian sisters, but Marin doesn't want to give her up as his servant, treating her almost as his property. This led to a moving court case that raised an uproar, impacting Bakhita's freedom and ultimate decision to become a nun. Pope John Paul II declared her a saint in the year 2000. Directed by Giacamo Campiotti (St. Giuseppe Moscati, Doctor Zhivago) and stars Fatou Kine Boye, Stefania Rocca, Fabio Sartor, Ettore Bassi, and Francesco Salvi.
Up Next in Black Catholics
-
Tolton: From Slave to Priest
Meet America’s first Black Priest, Venerable Father Augustus Tolton, in this audio drama adapted from our live stage production. The drama opens with nine-year-old Augustus Tolton’s harrowing escape from slavery to freedom. In a leaky boat with bullets whizzing overhead, his mother courageously r...
-
A Place at the Table
There are no African-American Saints formally recognized within the Catholic Church, but that could soon change. There are six incredible black men and women who are on the path to Canonization. The Catholic Church is starting to recognize their impact and may soon name any or all of them Saints....
-
What is Jesus Doing?
Are you willing to pick up your cross and follow Him? Discover how Jesus calls out to every one of us, constantly inviting us to be in union with Him. Join Fr. Josh Johnson as he illustrates the meaning of Jesus' call and how to do your part to start the journey toward God.
82 Comments