Blessed Isidore Bakanja was born between 1885 and 1890 in what is now the Democratic Republic of the Congo. His early years in the rural regions of Africa were profoundly shaped by a spiritual awakening around the age of 18 when he encountered Catholicism through Trappist missionaries from Westmalle Abbey in Belgium. Baptized in 1906, his baptismal record is the first official document of his life. From that moment, Isidore was deeply committed to Christ, embracing the teachings of the missionaries who taught that a true follower of Jesus should be known by prayer and witness, and recognised by the rosary and scapular.
A mild, honest, and respectful man, Isidore worked as an assistant mason for white colonizers in what was then Belgian Congo. His dedication to his faith was evident in his conscientious work and devout prayers, earning the respect of even non-Christian observers. Frequently seen with a rosary in hand, he eagerly shared his newfound faith with others, earning a reputation as a catechist. Seeking a community of fellow believers, he eventually left his native village and found work as a houseboy for a Belgian company that controlled rubber plantations..
The company’s agents, many of whom were outspoken atheists, resented the Catholic missionaries who defended the rights of the native people and spoke out against the injustices they suffered. This hostility extended to Isidore, who became a target due to his open expression of faith. The agents derogatorily referred to priests and religious figures as “Mon pere.” Despite the oppressive environment, Isidore continued to teach his fellow workers how to pray, a practice that angered his superiors..
The critical moment in Isidore’s life came when an enraged agent, infuriated by Isidore’s refusal to abandon his faith and his insistence on wearing his scapular, brutally beat him. He was flogged twice, but the second beating was far more severe. The agent, in a fit of rage, tore the scapular from Isidore’s neck, threw him to the ground, and ordered two servant boys to hold him down while a third was forced to flog him with a whip made of elephant hide embedded with nails. Isidore’s back was shredded, his bones exposed, as he pleaded for mercy, murmuring, “My God, I'm dying.” After 100 lashes, those present lost count..
Isidore was then chained and thrown into a hut used for processing rubber, where he was left in excruciating pain, unable to move. When an inspector arrived and saw Isidore’s condition, he was horrified. The inspector described the sight of a man emerging from the forest with festering, deep wounds on his back, barely able to drag himself forward. The inspector intervened, saving Isidore from further harm, and took him to his own settlement in an attempt to heal him. However, Isidore, sensing that his death was near, asked those around him to convey his final message:
“If you see my mother, or if you go to the judge, or if you meet the priest, tell them that I am dying because I am a Christian.”
In his final days, two missionaries spent time with Isidore, who devoutly received the last sacraments. He explained the cause of his beating: “The white man did not like Christians.... He did not want me to wear the scapular.... He yelled at me when I said my prayers.” Despite his suffering, Isidore bore no hatred toward his persecutor, assuring the missionaries that he had already forgiven the agent and vowing to pray for him in heaven.
Isidore’s agony lasted six months, more painful than the flogging itself. He died on either August 8 or 15, 1909, with the rosary in his hand and the scapular of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel around his neck, embodying the true spirit of a martyr.
Blessed Isidore Bakanja was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1994. His life is celebrated not only for his steadfast faith but also for his powerful witness to forgiveness and Christian love. His legacy challenges us to remain unwavering in our beliefs, to forgive even our greatest adversaries, and to live out our faith with the same courage and devotion that he exemplified.
Prayer in Honour of Blessed Isidore Bakanja
Blessed Isidore Bakanja, your life of faith, courage, and forgiveness is a powerful testament to the strength of the human spirit. We are grateful for your unwavering devotion and the ultimate sacrifice you made for your beliefs. We seek your intercession so that we too may embody the values of faith, courage, and forgiveness in our own lives, through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
