In 2015, Pope Francis declared the feast day of Saint Josephine Bakhita, February 8, as a day of prayer and awareness of human trafficking. This year Sydney Catholic Schools will join with other Catholic agencies and the Archdiocese of Sydney in promoting awareness of the issue of modern slavery and human trafficking.

Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP will celebrate a special Mass to mark this occasion and highlight the Archdiocese of Sydney’s strategies and initiatives aimed at eliminating modern forms of slavery. Members of Sydney Catholic schools communities are invited to attend this Mass on 8 February at 5.30pm, at St Mary’s Cathedral.

General Resources
St Bakhita – brief biography
St Bakhita – A3 Poster

Liturgy/Prayer Resources
Prayer Service for St Bakhita (Secondary)
Prayer Service for St Bakhita – guide (Secondary)
Prayer Service and Resources for St Bakhita (Primary)

Anti Slavery Resources
Sydney Archdiocese to tackle forms of modern slavery – Catholic Weekly
Anti Slavery Taskforce Bulletin – December 2017
Australian Catholic Religious Against Trafficking in Humans (ACRATH) – Education Resource
Slavery and Trafficking – Facts and Figures

Saint Bakhita,

During your life you experienced hardship and suffering. As a child, you were sold into slavery and you were denied all basic rights. Through your faith, you never gave up hope, and you prayed for justice and freedom.

Please be with those who suffer today and inspire them by your example. Inspire us too, so that we can become a voice for the victims of slavery in our world. We pray for their freedom and healing.

Amen.