Rome (Italy). On 8 February 2024, on the liturgical memory of Saint Josephine Bakhita, the Sister from Sudan who was a victim of trafficking as a child and canonized in 2000, who became a universal symbol of the commitment against slavery, the tenth World Day of Prayer and reflection against human trafficking will be celebrated.
The main objectives of this Day are: to create greater awareness of the phenomenon of human trafficking and reflect on the situation of violence and injustice that affects the lives of many people; try to provide solutions to combat human trafficking through concrete actions.
“Listen, dream, act” is the 2024 theme, to materialize the commitment to “Walk for dignity” undertaken by young international representatives in the previous edition. (Presentation of the theme)
The initiatives
- On 3 and 4 February, 50 young people, among students, volunteers, researchers, creatives, communicators, activists, and workers against trafficking, representatives of the international partner networks of the Day, met in Rome to participate in formation and awareness-raising activities on the topic of trafficking and, on 4 Sunday at the Angelus in St. Peter’s Square, they were welcomed thus by Pope Francis:
“I greet the young people from many countries who have come for the World Day of Prayer and Reflection against Trafficking, which will be celebrated on 8 February, in memory of Saint Josephine Bakhita, the Sudanese Sister who was a slave as a girl. Even today, many brothers and sisters are deceived with false promises and then subjected to exploitation and abuse. Let us all unite to combat the dramatic global phenomenon of human trafficking.”
- On 6 February, at 16.15 in Rome,Piazza Santa Maria in Trastevere, a flash mob against trafficking will be held and at 5.30 pm in the Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere, an ecumenical prayer vigil will be held in 5 languages – Italian, English, French, Spanish, and Portuguese – inspired by the 5 elements: water, fire, air, metal, and earth. (Download the Vigil)
- On 7 February the international group will participate in the Audience with Pope Francis in Paul VI Hall in the Vatican.
- On 8 February, the online pilgrimage of prayer and reflection against trafficking will be held, crossing all continents and time zones. It will start at 9.30 from Oceania, followed by Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Europe, South America and, finally, it will close at 4.30 with North America. There are over 50 countries involved and the central moment will see young people committed against trafficking as protagonists. As in recent years, a message from Pope Francis is expected. The event will be broadcast live in 5 languages (English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Italian).
The initiative is coordinated by Talitha Kum, the international anti-trafficking network which includes more than 6,000 Sisters, friends, and partners, promoted by the Unions of Superiors General, in partnership with the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, the Dicastery of Communication, the World Prayer Network of the Pope, and many other organizations, associations, and congregations around the world. The Day has the support of the Global Solidarity Fund.
The Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians has been part of the Talitha Kum Network since its birth in 2009 and contributes to it by participating in the International Commission that coordinates the regional networks, through the exchange of information and in-depth reflection. The educational-pastoral commitment of the FMA Institute is carried out through care, with presence in the Educating Communities of all continents which carry out prevention and reception of children, young people, and women victims of trafficking, and socio-economic action of support and promotion initiatives in different contexts.
The organizers invite, on February 8, to dedicate a message in X (formerly Twitter) using the official hashtag #PrayAgainstTrafficking.
On the website www.preghieracontrotratta.org can be found all the resources to follow the event, the video testimonials, and the photo gallery.
