You can help raise awareness and act to end the violence and injustice that affect victims of modern-day slavery.
The first International Day of Prayer and Awareness against Human Trafficking is February 8, the Feast Day of St. Josephine Bakhita. St. Bakhita was kidnapped as a child and sold into slavery in Sudan. After gaining her freedom, she became a religious sister and dedicated her life to sharing her testament of deliverance from slavery and comforting those who suffer. On February 8th and throughout the year, set aside time to reflect on the experiences of survivors of human trafficking, pray for their emotional, physical, and spiritual healing, and make a personal commitment to combating this evil.
While January 11 is designated nationally as Human Trafficking Awareness Day in the U.S., February 8 is an International Remembrance with prayer. See the prayer from the USCCB below.
Approximately 21 million people are enslaved throughout the world. Join us by making a personal commitment. Sign the pledge to take action.
Resolve to fight human trafficking!
- Learn about trafficking.
- Educate your community.
- Become a Responsible Consumer.
- Advocate-Engage your elected officials.
- Report trafficking to the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or text HELP or INFO to BeFree (233733).
- Pray. Attend a special noon Mass at the National Basilica in Washington, DC or host your own Prayer Vigil.
St. Josephine Bakhita
St. Josephine Bakhita, you were sold into slavery
as a child
and endured untold hardship and suffering.
Once liberated from your physical enslavement,
you found true redemption in your encounter with
Christ and his Church.
O St. Bakhita, assist all those who are trapped in a
state of slavery;
Intercede with God on their behalf
so that they will be released from their chains
Those whom man enslaves, let God set free.
Provide comfort to survivors of slavery
and let them look to you as an example of hope
Help all survivors find healing from their wounds.
We ask for your prayers and intercessions for
those enslaved among us.
Santa Josefina Bakhita
Santa Josefina Bakhita, cuando niña, fuiste vendida
y tuviste que pasar indecibles dificultades y
Una vez liberada de tu esclavitud física,
hallaste la verdadera redención en tu encuentro
con Cristo y su Iglesia.
Oh, Santa Bakhita, ayuda a todos aquellos que
están atrapados en la esclavitud;
en nombre de ellos, intercede ante Dios
para que sean liberados de las cadenas de
Que Dios libere a todo aquel que ha sido
esclavizado por el hombre.
Bríndales alivio a los que sobreviven la esclavitud
y permite que ellos te vean como modelo de fe
Ayuda a todos los sobrevivientes para que
encuentren la sanación de sus heridas.
Te suplicamos orar e interceder por los que se
encuentran esclavisados entre nosotros.