A Prayer Service for Victims of Human Trafficking and Slavery

I recently had the opportunity to speak with Brian Willis, director of Global Health Promise, about his efforts to establish a national day of prayer on the feast day of St. Josephine Bakhita to pray for worldwide victims of human trafficking and slavery. Archbishop John Vlazny wrote on Brian's efforts here at the Catholic Sentinel.  According to UN agencies, millions of men, women and children are trafficked for labor and sexual exploitation annually and up to 27 million people globally are in slavery.  Many of these victims are mothers and their children.

Brian's efforts have led to a special prayer service, to be held on St. Josephine Bakhita's feast day, Monday, February 8th at 6:30 pm at St. Mary's Cathedral in Portland, Oregon.  I hope that those of you living near Portland can gather at the prayer service for readings, reflections and music.  For the rest of us, those living outside Portland in warm homes with well cared for families, let us as mom pause for some quiet prayer time on February 8th to pray for St. Josephine Bakhita's intercession in this global crisis.  For additional information, please visit the Global Health Promise website and please consider supporting this important effort.