English 
Every year on 8 February, the World Day of Prayer and Reflection against Trafficking in Persons is celebrated on the occasion of the memory of St Josephine Bakhita, who as a child had the traumatic experience of being a victim of human trafficking.
The tenth edition of this event, to be celebrated this year, has as its theme “Journeying in Dignity: Listen, Dream, Act”, chosen by an international group of young people involved in the fight against trafficking. The Day has these objectives: to pray together as brothers and sisters of all ages, cultures, and faiths to end human
trafficking and other forms of exploitation; raising awareness about human trafficking at all levels – local churches, traditions, and communities; celebrating the 10th year anniversary of the Day with partners and people of
goodwill; closing the year dedicated to young people (2023-2024).
The three verbs listen, dream and act invite us to listen to the cry of suffering of the victims of trafficking and forced migration, to dream together with Pope Francis of a new humanity in the image of God, and to act to enact responsible and courageous behaviour against trafficking in persons.
Let us pray with Pope Francis:
Saint Josephine Bakhita, you were sold into slavery as a child
and endured unspeakable hardship and suffering.
Once liberated from your physical enslavement,
you found true redemption in your encounter with Christ and his Church.
O Saint Josephine Bakhita,
assist all those who are entrapped in slavery;
Intercede on their behalf with the God of Mercy so that the chains of
their captivity will be broken.
May God himself free all those who have been threatened,
wounded or mistreated by the trade and trafficking of human beings.
Bring comfort to survivors of this slavery and
teach them to look to Jesus as an example of hope and faith
so that they may find healing from their wounds.
We ask you to pray for us and to intercede on behalf of us all:
that we may not fall into indifference,
that we may open our eyes and
be able to see the misery and wounds of our many brothers and sisters
deprived of their dignity and their freedom,
and may we hear their cry for help. Amen.
