- All
- Wisdom
- We Stand on Their Shoulders
- Vocation
- Uncategorized
- Stories Seldom Heard
- Spirituality
- Social Justice
- Prayer
- Peace
- Oneness
- Love
- Letting Go
- Lent
- Joy
- Inspirational Images
- Hope / Healing
- Holy Week
- Gratefulness
- God's Presence
- General News Stories
- Forgiveness
- Finding God
- Faith
- Easter
- Dominican Saints
- Discipleship
- Courage
- Christmas
- Catholic Sisters Week
- Care of the Earth
- Blessing
- Beauty
- Advent
- #justiceOPportunity
#justiceOPportunity Thursday: Janaury 9, 2020
Sr. Judy Lu McDonnell, OP
Ms. Lyn Kirkconnell
It’s #justiceOPportunity Thursday and we invite you to join us in prayer. “Love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt. ” (Deut 10:19)
The month of January is National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention month. National Human Trafficking Awareness Day is recognized annually in the United States on January 11. The purpose is to bring attention and opposition to human trafficking and modern-day slavery (neo-slavery). International Day of Prayer and Awareness against Trafficking in Persons is celebrated on February 8, the Feast day of Saint Josephine Bakhita, a Canossian Sister who was kidnapped as a child and sold into slavery in Sudan. We will observe this Feast day as a Day of Prayer and fasting for Victims of Trafficking and for those who work to combat it. We pray for the women, men, and children who have been dehumanized through abuse, degradation and exploitation.
St. Josephine Bakhita was born in southern Sudan in 1869. As a young girl, she was kidnapped and sold into slavery. She was treated brutally by her captors as she was sold and resold. She did not remember her name; Bakhita, which means “fortunate one,” was the name given to her by her kidnappers.
And so we pray . . .
God of hope and peace, touch our hearts and energize our ongoing efforts in abolishing this heinous crime against humanity so that every victim is freed and every survivor’s life renewed. You blessed St. Josephine Bakhita of Sudan with compassion for others. May her prayers comfort and strengthen the women, men and children who are in search of freedom.
We ask for transformation of heart for those who inflict pain, anguish and grief on our vulnerable sisters and brothers. Give us generosity to stand in solidarity with others so that together we heal the hearts and lives of all Your people. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, Forever and ever.
Amen.
#justiceopportunitythursday #stjosephinebakhita #humantraffickingprevention