Oblate Voices is a JPIC blog that follows stories of hope and is about how Oblates and associates live and experience mission work in the spirit of the Oblate founder, St Eugene De Mazenod of responding to the needs of poor and most abandoned around the world.

Monday, February 2, 2015

February 8 is International Day of Prayer & Awareness against Human Trafficking

By Mrs Mary O’Herron
Missionary Oblates JPIC Ministry

On February 8, 2015 Catholics around the world are encouraged to participate in prayer services and actions that will raise awareness about human trafficking.

Designated by the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace and the International Union of Superiors General, February 8 will now be an Annual Day of Prayer and Awareness Against Human trafficking. 

This international day will focus on raising awareness and suggests praying about the violence and injustice that impact victims of human trafficking.

February 8 is also the feast day for Saint Josephine Bakhita, c. 1868–1947 who was kidnapped and sold as child into slavery in Sudan and Italy. Once freed, she became a nun and dedicated her life to sharing her testament of deliverance from slavery and comforting the poor and suffering. Pope John II declared her a Saint in 2000.

Resources:

With approximately 2 to 4 million people being trafficked within and across bor­ders each year, human trafficking has become a leading source of profits for organized crime. The overwhelming majority of those trafficked are women and children. Most are forced into sexual activity; others into forced labor.

What is Human Trafficking?
Human Trafficking involves the recruitment, trans­portation, and forceful detention of people either from one country to another, or within countries. The term ‘Human Trafficking’ is used to describe modern slavery because the term reflects the mo­bility of both victims and perpetrators. Easy mo­bility makes it easy – and cheap - to own a slave.
Threats, force and/or deception are typical. People being exploited are either unpaid or given very lit­tle payment for their work or sexual exploitation, and are not free to leave these abusive situations. Each year, there are between 600,000 and 800,000 people trafficked across borders throughout the world. There are many more trafficked within countries as well, including the many who are traf­ficked within the borders of the US.
Human Trafficking is growing rapidly, despite ef­forts by governments and organizations to con­trol it. 

There are more people in slavery than ever before in the world’s history – over 33 million. Wherever there is poverty, war, or natural disas­ters, unscrupulous people prey on the vulnerable.

Signs that someone may be a victim: See a comprehensive list visit: http://www.polarisproject.org/human-trafficking/recognizing-the-signs  
If you suspect someone may be a victim of human trafficking contact your National Human Traffick­ing Resource Center hotline to report the situation.

Action:

Modern Day Slavery Supports our comfort­able lifestyles: Learn more at www.slaveryfoot­rpint.org
Breaking the Snares, a website op­posed to human trafficking created by the Sisters of the Divine Savior (Salvadoran Sisters) that has many resources - in English and Span­ish - for parishes and other groups wishing to educate and mobilize people. The easiest way to find this Parish Resource Packet is to google Breaking the Snares.

Human Trafficking Prayer
Oh God, Great Healing One, please comfort each of Your children who are hurting because of the powerful greed of those who hold them in bondage and help them become free of these hideous bonds. Please heal all the wounds and scars they bear from their horrendous treatment and lead them to healing people and places.
In addition, Dear God, move among those who hold others in bondage or in any way profit from it to change their hearts and minds so they do this no longer. Also, please enlighten those who are unwitting participants in this use of people.
St. Eugene, you loved and served the poorest of the poor, please pray for all those held captive by others and for those who hold them captive.

Amen.

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