On Saturday afternoon, February 7, about sixty people, including members of ten religious congregations, gathered at the Church of the Blessed Sacrament – la Viale Europe in Brussels to commemorate Saint Bakhita and to pray and denounce human trafficking and modern slavery.
The theme for this year’s celebration was ‘Peace Begins with Dignity: A Global Call to End Human Trafficking”.
In her introductory remarks, Sister Françoise Coppieters, member of the Religious of the Assumption, welcomed all those present on behalf of RENATE, the network of religious men and women committed to combating human trafficking and exploitation in Europe. She made the connection of the feast of Saint Josephine Bakhita and the International Day of Prayer and Awareness. Using figures and statistics, she gave an overview of human trafficking worldwide as well as in Belgium.
Then, Ms. Monka Kuseke and her two daughters, Bakhita and Julienne, reenacted the decisive moments in the life of Saint Bakhita, from her childhood to her captivity, her life as a slave, until her liberation and her Christian and religious vocation.
Five candles, each representing a vulnerable group — abused children, exploited girls and women, migrants, and refugees — as well as one of the five fundamental values—peace, faith, love, justice, and hope — were then carried in procession to the altar. In accordance with these values, each and everyone is invited to commit to human dignity.
The recitation of Psalm 115 and the reading of the Gospel according to Saint Luke 4:14-21 reminded us of the importance of breaking the chains of those in captivity in order to set them free!
Sister Marie-Joséphine Fernando, Religious of the Good Shepherd, spoke about the SAWA association, which offers help and support to people caught up in prostitution networks. She gave a very concrete testimony of a woman who was able to be freed and regain her dignity after finding a job.
The Taizé refrain, “Abana fi yadayka ousalimou rouhy” in Arabic, meaning “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit,” created an atmosphere of international prayer. This intention for the whole world continued during the intercessory prayer.
Each candle represented a continent, and the prayers expressed the tragedies experienced by people: exploitation in mines in Africa; the trafficking of girls and women around the world; the violation of human dignity in so many countries, even democratic ones; the abuse suffered by people forced into prostitution; the exploitation and vulnerability of people without official papers due to their lack of legal status. The free, very moving prayer allowed everyone to place a small candle on the world map.
The prayer ended with the Our Father recited in the different languages spoken by the members of the assembly. Before concluding, the prayer of Saint Josephine Bakhita was distributed and read with reverence.
The blessing, sung in Malagasy by Sister Lucie Vololoniaina, Religious of the Good Shepherd, reflected the intercultural dimension of the celebration.
The five candles were raised and directed towards the four cardinal points, accompanied by wishes from Sister Bénédicte Goorissen, Sacred Heart sister.
After the celebration, all the participants continued their discussions with a glass in their hand. Contacts were made and information and addresses exchanged. The meeting ended in a very cordial and friendly atmosphere!
May Saint Josephine Bakhita grant peace and dignity to all!
By: Andreas Göpfert, M.Afr.
Member of RENATE and the preparation team