Online Prayer Marathon

Pope Francis has declared the feast of St Josephine Bakhita on February 8 the International Day of Prayer, Reflection and Action against Human Trafficking. Join ACRATH and mark this day by sharing information, joining the world community in prayer and committing to do something in your own life to end slavery.

Josephine Bakhita was born in Southern Sudan in 1869, and during her life experienced kidnapping and slavery in both Sudan and Italy. After gaining her freedom Josephine dedicated her life to sharing her story and to supporting the poor and suffering. She became a Catholic and eventually a Canossian Sister and was canonised in 2000.

To mark this year’s International Day ACRATH is part of a special seven-hour Marathon of Prayer moving around the globe and including a prayer and address from Pope Francis. In fact a group of ACRATH members and a participant from New Zealand, will kick off the event in the first hour.

To join the online Marathon of Prayer against human trafficking, go to: https://preghieracontrotratta.org. This event is being organised by Talitha Kum, the International Network of Consecrated Life Against Trafficking in Persons. ACRATH is a member of this network.

The marathon begins on February 8 at 8pm Australian Eastern Daylight Time. For 15 minutes, during the first hour, ACRATH members from across Australia will pray the ACRATH song, Can You See Me? by Margaret Scharf OP. Pope Francis will join the Marathon at 11.30pm AEDT.

ACRATH has also developed Bakhita Day resources, including a poster for use in your school, parish, community or workplace. Find all Bakhita Day material, including prayers of intercession, and Talitha Kum material relating to the prayer marathon at: https://acrath.org.au/take-action/world-day-of-prayer/