Tuesday, February 8, is the International Day of Prayer and Awareness Against Human Trafficking.
It is also the Feast of St. Josephine Bakhita, patron saint of Sudan and of those dedicated to ending human trafficking. Born in Darfur, she was enslaved as a child and eventually sold to a diplomat who took her to Italy where she valiantly asserted her freedom with the help of the Canossian Sisters of Venice. To mark this day, join us in prayer, study, and action around ending human trafficking.
Pray
Pray this prayer for those affected by human trafficking from the Maryknoll Sisters.
Join a virtual Mass for Prayer and Awareness against Human Trafficking at 12:15 pm EST on Feb. 8, 2022, sponsored by St. Thomas University.
Use this prayer vigil script individually or with a community: "The Power of Care: Women, Economy, Human Trafficking."
Study
Watch a video reflection from Maryknoll Sr. Helene O’Sullivan, who works to educate and empower human trafficking survivors in Cambodia. You can also read an article about her work in Global Sisters Report.
Read the latest U.S. Catholic Sisters Against Human Trafficking toolkit for resources to use this month.
Explore the latest UN Global Report on Trafficking in Persons.
Act
Visit the U.S. Catholic Sisters Against Human
Trafficking action center to sign a petition, contact your representative, or take other actions against human trafficking.
Find out how you can avoid buying products that rely on the work of trafficked people or unpaid labor.