The Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace and the International Union of Superiors General has designated February 8th as an annual day of prayer and awareness against human trafficking. On this day, Catholics all over the world are encouraged to host or attend prayer services to create greater awareness about this phenomenon. 8th February is the feast day of St Josephine Bakhita who was trafficked from Sudan, ending up in Italy where she became a Christian and later a religious sister. She died on 8th February 1947 and was canonised by Pope John Paul II in 2000.
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PRAYER TO ST JOSEPHINE FOR ALL VICTIMS OF TRAFFICKING:
'Saint Josephine Bakhita, you were sold into slavery as a child and endured unspeakable hardship and suffering. Once liberated from your physical enslavement, you found true redemption in your encounter with Christ and his Church. O Saint Josephine Bakhita, assist all those who are entrapped in slavery; Intercede on their behalf with the God of Mercy so that the chains of their captivity will be broken. May God himself free all those who have been threatened, wounded or mistreated by the trade and trafficking of human beings. Bring comfort to survivors of this slavery and teach them to look to Jesus as an example of hope and faith so that they may find healing from their wounds. We ask you to pray for us and to intercede on behalf of us all: that we may not fall into indifference, that we may open our eyes and be able to see the misery and wounds of our many brothers and sisters deprived of their dignity and their freedom, and may we hear their cry for help. Amen'.