Year of the Family "Amoris Laetitia The Joy of Love"
National Marriage Week
International Day of Prayer, Reflection and Action Against Human Trafficking: The Power of Care - Women, Economics, and Human Trafficking
Saints: Saint Josephine Bakhita, Patron Saint of Modern Sudan and All Victims of Human Trafficking (1869-1947); Saint Jerome Emiliani (1486-1537); Saint Cuthman of Steyning (?7th-8th century)
Readings of the Day
Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 7:60-61 Humility
Mass: 1 Kgs 8:22-23, 27-30; Resp Ps 84; Mk 7:1-13
How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord, mighty God!
LOOK KINDLY ON THE PRAYER AND PETITION OF YOUR SERVANT,
O LORD, MY GOD, AND LISTEN TO THE CRY OF SUPPLICATION WHICH I, YOUR SERVANT, UTTER BEFORE YOU THIS DAY.
(1 Kgs 8:28)
Not much needs to be said on this day of prayer, reflection and action against human trafficking. On this day we are invited by Pope Francis "to consider the condition of women and girls, subjected to multiple forms of exploitation, including forced marriages, and domestic slavery." Human trafficking is a scourge that the Holy Father calls an "open wound in the body of Christ, in the body of all humanity ..." It is happening everywhere, whether or not we see it with our own eyes, or not. As Pope Francis emphasizes, "this is happening in our cities today ... really think about it." I am reminded, rather sadly, of occasional early morning trips to Fiumicino International Airport in Rome, when I would see amidst the dark and shadows, women, most of whom were likely girls, waiting on the side of the road for business. The picture is clear in my mind. I always wondered who was watching and waiting for them in the shadows. Kyrie eleison.
SAINT JOSEPHINE BAKHITA,
SAINT JEROME EMILIANI,
SAINT CUTHMAN OF STEYNING,
PRAY FOR US.
Today's photo: From my oldest sis, here in Pompano Beach, Florida, the Sunshine State. God bless America.
© Gertrude Feick 2022
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