Sisters work against human trafficking

Painting by Sr Venus Marie Pegar SFX, photo Chris Herlinge

People are gathering across the world today, 8 February, in prayer and observances of the International Day of Prayer and Awareness Against Human Trafficking. Pope Francis started this observance in 2015 on the feast day of St Josephine Bakhita, who was kidnapped as a child and sold into slavery in her home country of Sudan and Italy. She gained her freedom in Italy, became a Canossian Sister and dedicated her life to helping the poor and testifying against slavery.

Talitha Kum, the umbrella organisation for sister networks against trafficking around the world, offers an international prayer on their website devoted for the special day, Preghiera Contro Tratta (Prayer Against Trafficking). Comboni Missionary Sr Gabriella Bottani, Talitha Kum's international coordinator, told Global Sisters Report that countries around the world are able to download the prayer - offered in six languages on the website - and can use it to organise public prayer vigils and marches on that day. With Bakhita at the centre of the prayer, it also encourages song, dance, presentations with trafficking information, candles, written dialogue, biblical readings, and meditations.

The Vatican's Migrants and Refugees Section just released a educational booklet, Pastoral Orientations on Human Trafficking. Other organizations, such as US Sisters Against Human Trafficking, and many women religious congregations also offer prayers and resources to help fight human trafficking.

To read on visit Global Sisters Report here: www.globalsistersreport.org/blog/gsr-today/trafficking/sisters-work-against-human-trafficking-55850?utm_source=GSR+anti-trafficking+day+2%2F8%2F19&utm_campaign=cc&utm_medium=email