By Rosemary Lewallen
Bridge of Light: Human Trafficking to Human Triumph Ministry will host Catholic Relief Services’ TURN ON THE LIGHT Solidarity Walk for Victims of Human Trafficking on Saturday, February 8, at 7:00 p.m. at St. Irenaeus Catholic Church.
This solidarity walk starts in the church with Taize prayer and then processes outside with prayers and song to the Parish Hall. Dress warmly for this evening procession. It is meant to shine a light on the human toll of human trafficking. The goal is that through education and prayer, we can make a difference to fight human trafficking and honor the victims of this horrible crime.
By gathering together in purposeful prayer, we can shed light on the root causes of human trafficking, identify laborers who are mistreated and trapped, understand that our purchases affect someone’s life, and work toward bringing healing to the survivors.
Later, we will invite everyone to prepare and send letters to their Congressmen, asking them to author or sponsor legislation that fights sex trafficking and other modern forms of slavery.
February 8th is a particularly appropriate day for this event as it is the feast day of St. Josephine Bakhita (1868 – 1947), patron saint of human trafficking, as well as the International Day of Prayer and Awareness against Human Trafficking. Josephine was kidnapped, physically abused and sold into slavery at age seven. She was later baptized, developed a strong faith and became a nun. St. Josephine Bakhita was beatified in 2000.
If you have any questions, contact Monica Kovach, Health Ministry Facilitator at 310-490-6113.
Courtesy photos attached by Rosemary Lewallen from past Solidarity Vigils:
