The Catholic Church designates February 8 as an annual day of prayer and awareness against human trafficking.

February 8 is the feast day of St. Josephine Bakhita, who was kidnapped as a child and sold into slavery in Sudan and Italy.   Once Josephine was freed, she became a nun and dedicated her life to sharing her testament of deliverance from slavery and comforting the poor and suffering. She was declared a Saint in 2000.

On February 8, Catholics all over the world are encouraged to host or attend prayer services to create greater awareness about this phenomenon.

Here's a video (3:24) telling her life story.

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

St. Josephine Bakhita, you were sold into slavery as a child

and endured untold hardship and suffering

but you found new hope in Jesus.

We pray that you assist all those who are trapped in a state of slavery;

Speak with God on their behalf so that

they will be released from their chains of captivity.

Those whom some humans enslave,

let others with God's strength set free.

Provide comfort to survivors of slavery
and let them look to you as an example of hope and faith.

Help all survivors find healing from their wounds.

We pray this in your Holy Name.

AMEN