Isidore bakanja biography examples

Beatified: April 24,
Feast Day: August 15

Isidore Bakanja was born in in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. At the age of eighteen, Isidore accepted Christ through the local missionaries. He loved the Lord dearly and served him as a catechist. He also worked on a plantation. He told everyone he could about Jesus at every opportunity.

One day, Isidore’s supervisor demanded that he take off his scapular of the Virgin Mary. Many people in Isidore’s community did not trust Christians. Isidore refused, and he was then chained and beaten. The plantation’s inspector discovered Isidore and took him to a safe place to recover. However, it was too late, as Isidore’s injuries were too severe. Isidore told the inspector to tell everyone that he was dying because he was a Christian. On his death bed, Isidore said he had already forgiven the man who had beaten him. Isidore promised to continue to pray for his supervisor while in heaven.

Isidore is remembered as an example of patient suffering, grace, and courage.

12 August Optional Memorial

Bl. Isidore Bakanja, a member of the Boangi tribe, was born in Bokendela (Congo) between and

In order to survive, even as a boy, he had to work as bricklayer or in farms. He was converted to Christianity in He was working in a plantation run by a colonialist in Ikili and was forbidden by the owner to spread Christianity among his fellow-workers.

On 22 April , the superintendent of the business tore off the Carmelite Scapular, which Isidore was wearing as an expression of his Christian faith, and had him severely beaten even to drawing blood.

He died on 15 August of the same year as a result of the wounds inflicted in "punishment" for his faith and which he bore patiently while forgiving his aggressor.

He was beatified by Pope John Paul II on 24 April

Every year, the Catholic Church celebrates Isidore Bakanja on August This write up is about the life of Blessed Isidore, the circumstances of his ultimate sacrifice and the inspirations the Church and the society can draw from the life of the youngest African Martyrs.

Life of suffering

Isidore Bakanja worked as an Assistant Mason for white colonizers in what was then the Belgian Congo which is today known as the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).His conversion and baptism on May 6, , at the age of 18 years, is linked to the evangelization of Trappists missionaries. According to some write ups, the young Christian always had his rosary in hand and the scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel around his neck. In addition to praying his rosary, Isidore was also a committed teacher of the Catholic doctrine. He used every opportunity to share his faith. Hence, though untrained, many referred to him as catechist. His relocation from his native village was because there were no fellow Christians with whom he could practice his faith. Away from home, Isidore worked as houseboy on a Belgian rubber plantation. Many of the Belgian expatriates were atheists who hated missionaries due to th