Gospel in Art: Saint Josephine Bakhita, Virgin

Let the Oppressed go Free by Timothy Schmaltz, 2022 © Courtesy of Timothy P Schmalz

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 8 February 2025
Mark 6:30-34

At that time: The Apostles returned to Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught. And he said to them, 'Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.' For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. And they went away in the boat to a desolate place by themselves.

Now many saw them going and recognised them, and they ran there on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things.

Reflection on the Sculpture

Let the Oppressed Go Free is a powerful sculpture by Canadian artist Timothy Schmalz, depicting Saint Josephine Bakhita opening up the underground and releasing modern-day slaves. The powerful piece was inspired by the scripture "setting free the oppressed" in Isaiah 58:6. The sculpture brings attention to the issue of human trafficking slaves, through depicting slaves being released from captivity. Fifty figures representing the different faces of human trafficking including sex exploitation, forced labour, debt bondage, and more are depicted. Men, women, and children are all depicted, making the point that all can become victims of human trafficking, particularly those from vulnerable communities.

Saint Josephine Bakhita, born in Sudan in 1869, was kidnapped as a young child by slave traders. She endured years of brutality, humiliation, and inhuman treatment, being sold multiple times and treated as property. Yet, even in the depths of her suffering, Bakhita's spirit remained unbroken. Bakhita was eventually purchased by an Italian consul, Callisto Legnani, in 1883. Unlike her previous masters, Legnani treated her kindly and brought her to Italy. There, she was entrusted to the Micheli family in Venice as a nanny for their young daughter, Mimmina. In 1888, circumstances led Bakhita and Mimmina to stay temporarily with the Canossian Sisters in Venice. During this time, Bakhita encountered the Catholic faith and began to develop a deep, personal relationship with God.

She became a religious sister in the Canossian order and a powerful advocate against the evil of slavery. Her story gave a human face to the horrors of exploitation, compelling others to confront the systemic injustices that perpetuate such cruelty. Bakhita's unwavering faith and forgiveness of her captors reveal a profound strength that transcends her suffering, transforming her into a symbol of reconciliation and freedom. In a world where modern slavery and human trafficking persist, her life is a call to action for justice, compassion, and the defence of human dignity.

LINKS

Gospel in Art: https://christian.art/
Today's Reflection: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/mark-6-30-34-2025/