Read about the St. Mark's DoK Chapter, about Josephine Bakhita
DoK everyday women who possess the desire to play an active role in doing God's work by supporting and building up God's church. Our own daughters may participate as Junior DoKs beginning as early as seven years of age. Think what a wonderful way this would be to instill a pattern of prayer, service to God, and evangelism in our daughters!
Many women in the church are already doing God's work both at St. Mark's and in the community as a whole. Forming a chapter connects our efforts under a unified umbrella of prayer and support. DoKs commit themselves to pray daily for the spread of Christ's Kingdom, the blessing of God upon fellow members, and for spiritual growth of the parish. Through the Rule of Service, DoKs commit themselves to participate in regular worship, work, and study of the Church. DoKs also commit themselves to undertake a personal program of evangelism by working to bring others to Christ through Confirmation and Baptism; and strive to help the clergy in expanding the spiritual growth of the parish. By sharing our love for Christ and joy for a Christian life, we are able to open the doors of Christ's love to others.
Please give prayerful consideration to joining this Order as a ministry. By doing so we galvanize what so many do in terms of service for others at St. Mark's, whether it be through the serving with the Altar Guild, Social Saints, education of our children, choir, greeting newcomers, pastoral care work, Bible study groups, or other ministries. The sole requirement for Senior membership in the Order is that those seeking membership be communicants in good standing of the Episcopal Church. It should be stressed that this Order is not just for the "exceptionally good or the exceptionally pious" among us, as we are all works in progress. It's for women wishing to serve, where we are in our walk with the Lord.
A decision to join the Order can be made at any time prior to, during, or after a 12-meeting training period. Upon joining, you will receive a silver Greek cross with the letters FHS (For His Sake - for whom members prayers, service and evangelism are done) engraved on it. The cross or pin is worn at all times by members. There are also Latin words inscribed on the cross that translated, read: "With lofty heart, mind and spirit uphold the Cross."
She received the new name Josephine, on January 9, 1890, when she received the sacraments of Christian initiation. Experiencing inconceivable trauma during her kidnapping caused Bakhita to forget her birth name. She was named Bakhita, which means "fortunate" by her Arab kidnappers. It's said that Bakhita, while with the Canossian Sisters, was frequently seen kissing the baptismal font, saying "Here, I became a daughter of God!" Josephine Bakhita is known for her humility, service to others, evangelism, and love of God. She spoke these words: "Be good, love the Lord, pray for those who do not know Him...."
Josephine died in 1947. Prior to that, she spent 50 years serving and encouraging others with grace, humility and love. Her canonization process began 12 years later. On December 1, 1978 the Catholic church proclaimed the Decree of the heroic practice of all virtues, which eventually lead, in 2000, to the Pope declaring Josephine Bakhita a saint.
