A Holy Hour: Prayer In Solidarity with The Victims of Human Trafficking

July 30 is the International Day against Human Trafficking declared by the UN, so we have gathered on this day to pray for those who are victims of this crime. In the many forms of exploitation, women, men, girls, and boys are enslaved in factories, sweatshops, mines, camps, nightclubs and domestic work. Human beings, our sisters and brothers, are being treated as objects. Our people are being exploited after being victims of lies. We ask for forgiveness for the silence. We ask for courage not to dismiss any effort to fight this scourge. And we also pray for all the people and organizations that fight against these situations of injustice, so that the God of life will continue to give them audacity and wisdom.

Print version: HERE

Opening | One Bread, One Body by John Michael Talbot

We pray with the following song or some other song.

https://youtu.be/nNNOQm6WO54

One bread, one body, one Lord of all

One cup of blessing which we bless

And we, though many, throughout the earth

We are one body in this one Lord

Gentile or Jew

Servant or free

Woman or man

No more

One bread, one body, one Lord of all

One cup of blessing which we bless

And we, though many, throughout the earth

We are one body in this one Lord

Many the gifts, many the works

One in the Lord

Of all

One bread, one body, one Lord of all

One cup of blessing which we bless

And we, though many, throughout the earth

We are one body in this one Lord

We are one body in this one Lord

Prayer

Our Father...

Hail Mary...

Presider: In heaven and on earth may Christ be praised forever

R: May his love empower us to promote human dignity for all.   

The global exploitation offers a very wide scope for individuals who see human trafficking as a business. One of the most notorious dimensions of human trafficking is sexual exploitation. However, there are other forms of exploitation: labor exploitation, exploitation of children for the sex industry, begging, war, servile marriages and organ trafficking.

We invite you to bring to your mind and heart the names of cities or people that you know who have been victims of one of these situations and to pronounce them aloud presenting them to our good God. 

Silence

Reading from the book of the prophet Ezekiel 36: 26-27

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.

The word of the Lord

Address of His Holiness Pope Francis to Participants in the World Day of Prayer, Reflection and Action Against Human Trafficking (2018).

“When countries fall prey to extreme poverty, violence and corruption, the economy, the regulatory framework and the basic infrastructures are inefficient and are unable to guarantee security, goods and essential rights. In such contexts, the perpetrators of these crimes act with impunity. Organized crime and the illegal trafficking of drugs and of human beings choose their prey from among the people who have the most inadequate means of subsistence and even less hope for the future.” 

Personal reflection

What word or phrase from all that you have heard so far echoes in your heart?

To what do you feel invited, personally and communally?

Action | Music can be good to accompany this moment, such as Carey Landry’s “I will never forget you.” or instrumental music. 

I invite you to place your right hand on your left shoulder and your left hand on your right shoulder, and thus in that embrace recognize the Incarnate Word who teaches us to discover the infinite value of others. Feel God's embrace for you and also embrace so many people who live in situations of slavery.

Psalm | Ita Ford, M.M.

I hope that you come to find that which gives life a deep meaning for you. 

Something worth living for – 

maybe event worth dying for, 

something that energize you, enthuses you, 

enables you to keep moving ahead.

I can’t tell you what it might be – 

that’s for you to find, to choose, to love. 

I can just encourage you to start looking 

and support you in the search.

Praises 

Blessed be God.
Blessed be his Holy Name.
Blessed be Jesus Christ true God and true Man.
Blessed be the Name of Jesus.
Blessed be the Compassionate Heart of God
Blessed be Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament of the Community.

Blessed be the Ruah, Holy Spirit.

Blessed be the name of Mary, disciple and mother.

Blessed be St. Joseph, companion of life.

Blessed be God when a person succeeds in being free again.

Blessed be God in those who fight to stop human trafficking.

Amen.

CLOSING PRAYER | Day of Prayer and Awareness Against Trafficking- 2016

O God, when we hear of children and adults being deceived and taken to unknown places for purposes of sexual exploitation, forced labor, and organ ‘harvesting’, our hearts are saddened and our spirits angry that their dignity and rights are ignored through threats, lies, and force. We cry out against the evil practice of this modern slavery, and pray with St. Bakhita for it to end. Give us wisdom and courage to reach out and stand with those whose bodies, hearts and spirits have been so wounded, so that together we may make real your promises to fill these sisters and brothers with a love that is tender and good. Send the exploiters away empty-handed to be converted from this wickedness, and help us all to claim the freedom that is your gift to your children. Amen

Another resource:

© A prayer resource by Congregational Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Office. A ministry of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word [World Day Against Human Trafficking 2020] Free Resource

Democracy, Values and the 2020 Election: A Reflection Guide for Faith Communities

Faith in Public Life and Interfaith Power & Light have released a voter reflection guide: Democracy, Values and the 2020 Election: A Reflection Guide for Faith Communities.

The nonpartisan guide offers timely sections that address urgent moral issues at stake in the 2020 elections and beyond.  Topics include justice for immigrants, economic dignity, human trafficking, care for creation and climate change, racism, and criminal justice reform, democracy and voting rights, health care and the coronavirus pandemic, and global peacebuilding.  

Reflection questions are included to help spark conversation in your communities and to help prime questions for candidates running for office. Read this alone or gather a group to discuss. This is co-sponsored by the Leadership Conference of Women Religious and NETWORK Catholic Social Justice Lobby and many other groups. 

Download or order copies of this guide now.  

Raise your voice and #StopIndifference against Human Trafficking

Talitha Kum, the global network against Human Trafficking, invites us to join the #StopIndifference Campaign on the occasion of the UN World Day Against Trafficking in Persons: 30th July.

Raise your voice against human trafficking! The blue heart represents the fight against this crime and at the same time it is a gesture of solidarity with the victims of trafficking: Here I am.

This year the United Nations has a goal: to work on the front lines of ending human trafficking. These are people who work in different ways: they identify, support, advise and seek justice for the victims of trafficking, and challenge the impunity of the traffickers.

During the COVID-19 crisis, the essential role of these relief figures has become even more important, particularly as the restrictions imposed by the pandemic have made their work even more difficult. Yet their contribution is often overlooked and unrecognized.

How can you join in?
Send us a picture of yourself with a blue heart, or write us a message.
Remember that you can contact us at jpic.office@gmail.com

Due Date
We are waiting for your messages or pictures until July 29th.

What else can I do now?
Publish your photo or message through your social networks. Please add the words: #StopIndifference against #HumanTrafficking #CCVIs4Justice

The Network in the World:
Talitha Kum is represented in 92 countries, on the 5 continents: 14 in Africa, 18 in Asia, 17 in America, 41 in Europe, 2 in Oceania. The Networks of Talitha Kum: 44 National Networks: 9 in Africa, 11 in Asia, 15 in America, 7 in Europe and 2 in Oceania. 7 regional coordinations: 2 in Latin America, 3 in Asia, 1 in Europe and 1 in Africa

As Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, we are part of this Network from the local networks in the United States, Mexico and Peru.

EMBRACING THE NONVIOLENT SHIFT: Online Conference

The peace of Christ be with you! 

In this time of suffering in our world which has been made worse by the violence of systemic injustice such as poverty and racism, we the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word invite ourselves, those who minister with us, associates, and friends to enter more deeply into the spirit of Gospel Nonviolence.  

We encourage you to participate in the virtual Campaign Nonviolence conference with main content on Saturday, August 8, 2020, starting at 11 am Central time. One can also attend the Vigil on August 6 and Nonviolence Training on August 7. See schedule  https://paceebene.org/cnv-2020-conference-schedule

THE CAMPAIGN NONVIOLENCE NATIONAL CONFERENCE: EMBRACING THE NONVIOLENT SHIFT.  Marking the 75 Anniversary of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.  “In this time of great transition ushered in by a worldwide crisis, nonviolence offers us what we need right now: a vision, strategies, and practices that will equip us to live and lead in the direction of personal and societal transformation. At this conference, you will experience the wisdom of nonviolence visionaries, scholars and practitioners who will share their expertise from a wide variety of fields. They will offer concrete pathways to build the transformed world our hearts long for, a world free from the violence of racism, poverty, war and the environmental crisis.” Some of the speakers are Rev. Richard Rohr, The Center for Action and Contemplation: Dr. Erica Chenoweth, Harvard University; Dr. Ira Helfand, International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons; and Rev. John Dear, Pace e Bene.  

Learn more and register now: https://paceebene.org/cnvconference2020

We have some scholarships for Aug. 8 and if you would like one, please contact us: jpic.office@gmail.com

Our CCVI Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation Committee would like to know the names of those who register for this conference so that we can encourage each other in the deepening spirituality and practice of nonviolence.  As you register, please send your name, location, and e-mail to jpic.office@gmail.com In the subject line please put Nonviolence conference. 

Thank you for considering this.  Let us unite in prayer for healing and for a more just and peaceful world.

ABRAZANDO EL CAMBIO NO VIOLENTO: Conferencia en línea

¡La paz de Cristo esté contigo!
En tiempos de mucho sufrimiento en nuestro mundo, agravada por la violencia de la injusticia sistémica como lo son la pobreza y el racismo, las Hermanas de la Caridad del Verbo Encarnado nos invitamos a nosotras mismas, a quienes colaboran en nuestros ministerios, a nuestra asociación laical y amistades a entrar más profundamente en el espíritu de la No Violencia Evangélica.

Por lo que animamos a participar en la conferencia virtual de la Campaña de la No Violencia. El día principal, para las conferencias, es el sábado 8 de agosto del 2020 a partir de las 11 a.m. hora centro. Habrá interpretación simultánea al español. Si hay disponibilidad de tiempo, se puede participar también el 6 de agosto en la Vigilia de Oración. Puedes ver el horario en el siguiente enlace: https://paceebene.org/cnv-2020-conference-schedule

CONFERENCIA VIRTUAL DE LA CAMPAÑA DE LA NO VIOLENCIA: ABRAZANDO EL CAMBIO NO VIOLENTO. Con motivo del 75 aniversario de Hiroshima y Nagasaki. "En este tiempo de gran transición, marcado por una crisis mundial, la no violencia nos ofrece lo que necesitamos en este momento: una visión, estrategias y prácticas que nos equipen para vivir y liderar en la dirección de la transformación personal y social. En esta conferencia, experimentarás la sabiduría de gente visionaria, académica y practicante de la no violencia; quienes compartirán su experiencia desde una amplia diversidad de áreas de trabajo. Ofrecerán caminos concretos para construir el mundo transformado que anhelan nuestros corazones, un mundo libre de la violencia del racismo, pobreza, guerra y crisis ambiental". Estarán como conferencistas: Rev. Richard Rohr del Centro de Acción y Contemplación; Dra. Erica Chenoweth de la Universidad de Harvard; Dr. Ira Helfand de la Campaña Internacional para la Abolición de las Armas Nucleares; y el Rev. John Dear de Pace e Bene.

La comisión organizadora del evento nos ha brindado un código especial para quienes viven fuera de los Estados Unidos y se comprometen a participar de este día de formación.
Por favor, si quieres inscribirte sin ningún costo económico, envíanos un email con tu nombre, ciudad (país) y correo electrónico a: jpic.office@gmail.com Por favor, coloca "Conferencia de No-Violencia" como asunto del mensaje.

Gracias por considerar esto. Unámonos en una oración sanadora por un mundo más justo y pacífico.