New York, February 10 – February 8, 2014 was the day of prayer to raise awareness on human trafficking, promoted by the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant Peoples, the Pontifical Council “Justice and Peace” and the International Union of Superiors General (UISG). This day of prayer, entitled: “A light against human trafficking”, was celebrated in the feast day of the Sudanese slave St. Josephine Bakhita who, after being freed, became a Canossian Sister and was canonised in 2000.

 

SIMN joined this initiative along with other organizations involved in the fight against human trafficking promoting the following prayer:

 

“O God, when we hear of children and adults

deceived and taken to unknown places for

purposes of sexual exploitation, forced labour, and

organ ‘harvesting’, our hearts are saddened and

our spirits angry that their dignity and rights are

ignored through threats, lies, and force.

We cry out against the evil practice of this modern

slavery, and pray with St. Bakhita for it to end.

Give us wisdom and courage to reach out and

stand with those whose bodies, hearts and spirits

have been so wounded, so that together we may

make real your promises to fill these sisters and

brothers with a love that is tender and good.

Send the exploiters away empty-handed to be

converted from this wickedness, and help us all to

claim the freedom that is your gift to your

children. Amen”