Feast of St. Josephine Bakhita

Justice and Peace Issues

February 8, the Feast of St. Josephine Bakhita is the 12th World Day of Prayer and Reflection against Human Trafficking. The 2026 theme is “Peace begins with dignity: a global call to end human trafficking.” It draws inspiration from Pope Leo XIV’s powerful reminder that true peace is gentle and humble, born of love, and sustained where human dignity is upheld. The exploitation and objectification of people through trafficking fundamentally destroy the foundations of peace and justice, making its eradication essential to building a just world. Human trafficking is a global wound that denies human dignity and shatters peace in communities everywhere. You can download Pope Leo’s Statement for the World Day of Prayer against Human Trafficking here.2026 02 Message PopeLeoXIVHoly Union Sisters in many areas of the Congregation continue to work to raise awareness about what has been called “Modern Day Slavery”According to United Nations data, there are approximately 27 million victims of human trafficking worldwide, predominantly women, children, migrants, and displaced persons, who suffer exploitation in many forms, from forced labor to sexual exploitation, from servitude to forced marriage. The United Nations Office the organization dealing with this issue indicates that women and girls constitute 65% of the identified victims, while almost a third are children. The vulnerability of these groups increases in situations of war, poverty, and displacement. Migrants and displaced persons are even more at risk.Holy Union Sisters in many areas of our international Congregation continue work to raise awareness about what has been called “Modern Day Slavery”EVENTS in ROME*From February 4th to 8th, international participants – religious leaders, survivors, young people, civil society partners and supporters, take part in a series of training and awareness-raising meetings that will culminate on February 8th with participation in the Angelus prayer in St. Peter’s Square followed by a mass at St. Peter’s Basilica.February 4th: online training event led by young people, highlighting their leadership and innovative approach in mobilizing against human trafficking. International delegates who have already arrived in Rome will participate in the general audience.The website https://preghieracontrotratta.org/ Prayer Against Trafficking gives information about events leading up to February 8, Feast of St. Josephine BakhitaFebruary 5 the opening ceremony at the headquarters of the International Union of Superiors General in Rome, followed by the “Walk for Humanity” led by young people. At 5:30 PM, a candlelight procession and ecumenical prayer vigil was held in the Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere.February 6, an online pilgrimage against human trafficking united participants in a global prayer journey, from Oceania to Asia, from the Middle East to Africa, from Europe to the Americas. A message from the Holy Father is expected during the central part of the event.February 7, Youth Day began with a training workshop followed by awareness-raising activities against human tracking.February 8, begins in St. Peter’s Square with the Angelus prayer with Pope Leo XIV, followed by the Eucharistic Celebration in the Choir Chapel of St. Peter’s Basilica at 1:00 PM.* The website (Prayer Against Trafficking) gives information about events leading up to February 8, Feast of St. Josephine Bakhita

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