Marathon of prayer on Tuesday February 8, 2022

The International Union Superiors General (UISG) set up a project in 2009, with the objective to share, coordinate and strengthen the activities against human trafficking promoted by consecrated women throughout the five continents. This project is called Talitha Kum, an expression taken from the Gospel of Mark 5:41. In Aramaic, it means: “Little girl, I say to you, arise!” Jesus spoke these words to Jairus’ daughter, a twelve-year-old girl who was apparently lifeless. Jesus, after saying these words, took her by the hand and she immediately rose and started walking around. Talitha Kum organizes every year on February 8, an International Day of Prayer and Awareness against Human Trafficking. This year, the eighth edition will be celebrated under the theme: “The power of care. Women, economy, human trafficking.” With this in mind, the organization invites us to have a special thought for women and young girls who are victims of human trafficking.

Therefore, we invite you to participate in the online marathon of prayer on Tuesday, February 8, 2022, the day of the liturgical memory of Saint Bakhita, the Sudanese nun who as a child had the dramatic experience of being kidnapped and enslaved and who became the universal symbol of the commitment of the Catholic Church against trafficking.

Pope Francis, who was the initiator this day in 2015, will participate in the marathon by delivering his message, which will be available at: www.preghieracontrotratta.org. In addition, the marathon will also be broadcast online in English, French, Italian, Spanish and Portuguese via YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/preghieracontrotratta

We invite you to help us involve as many people as possible in the prayer marathon and you will find useful documents for this day attached:

—The presentation of the theme;

—The text of the vigil of prayer;

—A graphic to be used to promote this day of February 8.

Also, it will be a great pleasure to receive photos of your prayer and reflection groups on this very special day against human trafficking. Please send them to nbertoluci@providenceintl.org before the end of February.

Following the example of our founder, Emilie Tavernier-Gamelin, by our prayers and our actions, let us unite for these people who seek protection, justice and dignity.

United by Providence,

Hortense Demia-Mbaïlaou, SP

JPIC Coordinator