On 8 February, the Church will be celebrating the first International Day of Prayer and Awareness against Human Trafficking, which will center on the theme: “Light a Flame against Trafficking.” The new observance is being promoted by the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, the International Unions of Superiors General of Men and Women’s Religious Orders, the Pontifical Council for Migrants and Travelers, and the International Justice and Peace Commission.
The purpose of the Day is to cast light on a phenomenon that concerns over 21 million people worldwide. 8 February was chosen as an appropriate date because it is the feast of St. Josephine Bakhita, a Sudanese slave who was eventually freed and became a Canossian nun. She was canonized in 2000.