Initiated by Pope Francis in 2015, the World Day of Prayer and Awareness against Human Trafficking is held on February 8. On this same day, tribute is paid to Saint Josephine Bakhita.
Saint Josephine Bakhita – Source: Vatican
She was born around 1869, in Olgossa, Darfur (Sudan). A victim of human trafficking from childhood (abducted and enslaved when she was around nine years old), Joséphine emigrated to Italy, where she joined a religious congregation. Better known to some as “Mama Moretta”, Saint Josephine Bakhita bore 144 scars inflicted during her life as a victim of enslavement.
She died on February 8, 1947 in Italy, and was beatified on May 17, 1992, before being canonized on October 1, 2000.
10th edition
February 8, 2024 will be the 10th World Day, with the theme “Journeying in Dignity. Listen. Dream. Act.”
This theme is a continuation of last year’s theme. It is inspired by the commitment of young people around the world, known as “Youth Ambassadors”. They meet, reflect and inspire a call to action.
The aim of the 10th edition is to invite sisters and brothers of all ages, cultures and denominations to pray together to put an end to trafficking and other forms of exploitation. It is also a way of raising awareness of the issue among all groups and organizations, and encouraging them to take action to ensure better security and economic conditions. The aim is to counterbalance the methods of traffickers, who are refining their processes by making greater use of information technologies.
CATHII takes part in prayer marathon
Several activities are organized around this day, including a prayer vigil and the online marathon of prayer and reflection against human trafficking, which takes place in several languages on all continents on February 8 in tribute to Saint Bakhita.
The Comité d’action contre la traite humaine interne et internationale (CATHII), a member of Talitha Kum, is collaborating in a number of ways. The organization provided video vignettes, one highlighting the contribution of the Young Ambassadors, another presenting a prayer written by Ms. Renaude Grégoire, and a final one explaining the issues surrounding trafficking in North America. The President of the CATHII Board of Directors, IsaBelle Couillard, sgm., is scheduled to speak live on the North American situation.
Here are some indications of the potential schedule, particularly for South America (8:10 a.m.) and North America (9:20 a.m.). The presentation of the young ambassadors with the Pope is scheduled for 7:10 a.m. All times are Quebec time.
The text of Pope Francis’ prayer is also available in English, Spanish and French.
This day is a call for global action. “Together, on this journey, we are pilgrims of human dignity with hope, dream and action against all forms of exploitation and trafficking.”
In conclusion, the day is being promoted by the International Unions of Superiors (UISG) and Superiors General (USG). The coordination of the network of partners and participants has been entrusted to Talitha Kum, an international network created by the UISG to combat human trafficking.
Document for the prayer vigil also available in English, Spanish and French.