February 8, 2017
#theyarechildren!notslaves
A Joint Activity of AMRSP, JPICC, IJM, OFM, PIMAHT, TFDP, UM, UST, ECMI
Suggested materials for the liturgical prayer in memory of St. Bahkita may include the following:
Illumination: A Prayer for Freedom by Lisa Kristine & Frank Fitzpatrick, featuring Sasha Lazard
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnMrPsXTs7E#t=21
8 febbraio Giornata contro la tratta delle persone – Veglia di preghiera
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1_7kh35-RA
Saint Josephine Bakhita
Born c. 1869 in Olgossa, Darfur, Sudan
Died 8 February 1947, Italy
Year of beatification 1992 (17 May)
Year of canonisation 2000 (1 October)
Feast Day 8 February
St Josephine Bakhita, also known as ‘Mother Moretta’ (our Black Mother) bore 144 physical scars throughout her life which were received after she was kidnapped at the age of nine and sold into slavery.
Dear brothers and sisters,
Today, 8 February, is the Feast of St Josephine Bakhita, a Sudanese nun, who as a child had the traumatic experience of being a victim of human trafficking. The Unions of Superiors and Superiors General of Religious Institutes have organized the Day of Prayer and Awareness against Human Trafficking. I encourage those who work helping the men, women and children who are enslaved, exploited, abused as instruments of work or pleasure, who are often tortured and mutilated. It is my hope that government leaders may work decisively to remove the causes of this disgraceful scourge, it is a scourge unworthy of society. May each one of us feel committed to being a voice for our brothers and sisters, who have been humiliated in their dignity. Let us all pray …
(Pope Francis: Angelus Prayer February 8, 2015)
