BLESSED
ISIDORE BAKANJA – Martyr for the Scapular
The Brown Scapular of our Lady of
Mount Carmel is a Sacramental well-known to many of us. Most of us received it
on the day of our Baptism or First Communion or on the feast of Our Lady of
Mount Carmel (16th July), which has also become synonymous as the
feast of the Brown Scapular.
The Brown Scapular is an external sign
of the filial relationship established between the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother
and Queen of Mt. Carmel, and the faithful who entrust themselves totally to her protection, who have recourse to
her maternal intercession, who are
mindful of the primacy of the spiritual
life and the need for prayer. [CDW, Directory
on Popular Piety and the Liturgy: Principles
and Guidelines (205)]. We see all the above mentioned attributes manifested in
the person of Blessed Isidore Bakanja, who is relatively less known even in the
Carmelite circles.
Blessed Isidore Bakanja was a native of the Democratic
Republic of Congo, then Belgian Congo. He was baptized at the age of 18 by
Trappist monks and the same day he was also vested in the Brown Scapular of our
Lady of Mount Carmel. The monks encouraged all their converts to wear the
scapular, telling them that the Scapular and the Rosary were the means by which
they could show their Christian faith to others. This lesson was taken very
seriously by Isidore.
He worked as a mason on a Belgian rubber plantation
where most of the Belgian agents were Atheists. The workers were strictly
forbidden from practicing their faith or exhibiting their piety openly. Despite
the prohibition, Blessed Isidore not
only continued to pray openly but went a step further and fearlessly began
catechizing his fellow workers in his own simple way.
The, apparently worthless, piece of cloth around his
neck seemed to threaten the atheist agents who detested Isidore, his Christian faith
and the values promoted by it.The wrath of his agents was finally unleashed
upon him when, one day, he was asked to remove his scapular. To Blessed Isidore
this demand was akin to apostasy and he undauntedly refused to remove the
scapular. To break his resolve, he was flogged twice after which he was again
asked to remove his scapular. However,
Blessed Isidore remained firm and refused again. This refusal so angered the
agent that he tore off the scapular from his neck and threw it to the dogs. He
was pinned to the ground and lashed more than 100 times with a whip made of
elephant hide with nails on the end. He was then chained to a tree for days
with very little food and water.
On learning of an inspection of the
Rubber plantations, the agents tried to move Isidore to another village.
Scarcely able to walk, Isidore hid in the forest. When the inspector reached
the plantation, he dragged himself up to him. The shocked Inspector later said,
“I saw a man come from the forest with his back torn apart by deep, festering,
malodorous wounds, covered with filth, assaulted by flies.”
The inspector took him away from the plantation and
tried to treat his sores. But it was too late. His agony endured for another 6
months. During this time, he was visited by some Missionaries who counseled him
to forgive his perpetrator. Isidore assured them that had already forgiven him
and told them “When I am in heaven, I shall pray for him very much.” Blessed Isidore Bakanja died on Aug 15, 1909,
Scapular around his neck and Rosary in hand.
The Scapular is a reminder that “in Baptism we have
been clothed in Christ, with the assistance of the Blessed Virgin Mary,
solicitous for our conformation to the Word Incarnate, to the praise of the
Trinity, we may come to our heavenly home wearing our nuptial garb.”[CDW,
Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy:
Principles and Guidelines (205)].
At his beatification ceremony, Saint John Paul II in his
homily said, “Isidore was faithful to the gift of his Baptism....Isidore, your
sharing in the paschal mystery of Christ, in the supreme work of his love, was
total. Because you desired to be loyal to your baptismal faith whatever the
cost, you suffered scourging like your Master. Like your Master on the Cross,
you forgave your persecutors; and you showed yourself to be a builder of peace
and reconciliation.”
As seen in the life of Blessed Isidore Bakanja, the
maternal protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary does not mean an escape from the
trials, temptations, sufferings and persecutions of this life. She does not
promise a path strewn with roses. However, Our Lady does promise to accompany
us along the way of the Cross. Blessed Isidore did not see the Scapular as a
amulet or charm. He braved every suffering and would not be separated from his
badge of belonging to Jesus and Mary.It is good to note that Isidore was only
about 20-30 years (because we are not sure of his year of birth – which could
be anywhere between (1880-1890) at the time of his martyrdom, and a Christian
for just three years. What an example for Christians, and especially
Carmelites!
Our Lady will obtain the necessary graces to courageously
endure the trials and sufferings of life, upto the point of death, for a child
of hers who has been a staunch disciple of her Son, faithful to a life of
prayer and who trusts in the power of her intercession.
All chaste lily, rising despite the
thorn,
Strengthen, help us, So feeble, soon
forlorn,
Great protectress.
Be our armour, Valiant for Christ when
war
Rages round us, Hold high the Scapular
Strong and saving.
(Excerpts from the hymn Flower of Carmel,
attributed to Saint Simon Stock)
Sr.
Benedicta of the Holy Face (Novice)
Cloistered Carmel of God the Father, Pune
