Weekly Intentions for Persons who are trafficked

(Note: The following blog was prepared by the Illinois Women Religious Against Human Trafficking (IWRAHT) organization, featuring Sister Barbara Sheehan, SP. This is the first of three blogs this month, in order to raise awareness during Human Trafficking Awareness Month).

“Each human being is a free person, and is destined to exist for the good of all. Any relationship that fails to respect this fundamental conviction constitutes a grave crime against humanity. There is now a compelling need to put an end to trafficking in human beings. …” (Pope Francis, Easter 2013).

Human trafficking for the purpose of sex or labor places human beings into slavery each year, taking away any form of human dignity they may have. “Using people for profit” slowly degrades their sense of self-worth. Trafficking has become a 150 billion dollar industry around the world. We ask you to reflect on “how does this happen? Do I contribute to this in any way? What can I do?”

Action: Get to know where trafficking is happening in your community. Be aware of unusual activity on your block. Are there homes where there are many people coming and going that are not familiar to you? Invite a speaker who is familiar with the issue to come and share their awareness with you.

Prayer: Gracious and loving Holy One. You breathe your breath of life into every person. This breath gives us the ability to look out at our world with a different set of “eyes,” the eyes of the soul and heart. May the cry of those who are suffering the indignity of being trafficked speak deeply to us and move us into action on their behalf. It is through our efforts that trafficked persons can know freedom once again.

Amen.