St Josephine Bakhita

St Josephine Bakhita

by | Feb 7, 2025 | Human Trafficking, Migrants, refugees Human trafficking

O Saint Josephine Bakhita,
witness of hope and liberation,
you who were enslaved, sold, and humiliated,
but did not let hatred dominate your heart,
intercede for all those who, even today,
are victims of human trafficking and modern slavery.

Teach us to fight
for the dignity of every person,
to be courageous
in defending the rights of the oppressed,
and to cultivate the love
that liberates and transforms.

Saint Bakhita,
example of unshakable faith,
help us to trust in God’s providence
and to be instruments
of peace and justice in the world.

Pray for us, that we may never lose hope
in the power of Christ’s love,
which redeems and restores all humanity.

Amen.

St Bakhita’s history

St Bakhita’s history

by | Feb 5, 2025 | Human Trafficking, Migrants, refugees Human trafficking

Saint Josephine Bakhita was born around 1869 in Darfur, Sudan, in a small African village.

As a child, she was kidnapped by slave traders and endured years of suffering, being sold multiple times and
subjected to forced labour and mistreatment.

After years of enslavement, Bakhita was purchased by an Italian consul who brought her to Italy. There, she was entrusted to the care of a family who treated her with kindness. During this time, she was introduced to Christianity and found in her faith in God a source of hope and redemption.

In 1890, Josephine was baptized and confirmed, adopting the Christian name “Bakhita,” which means “fortunate.”

Shortly afterward, she joined the Canossian Sisters, dedicating her life to serving God and caring for those in need.

Bakhita became known for her humility, kindness, and unshakable faith, despite the horrors she had endured. She once said: “If I were to meet those who enslaved me, I would kiss their hands, for it was
through them that I came to know Christ.”

Josephine Bakhita passed away on February 8, 1947, at the age of 78, in Italy. Her life is a powerful testimony of forgiveness, faith, and resilience.

In 2000, she was canonized by Pope John Paul II, becoming the first Sudanese saint and the patroness of victims of human trafficking.

Her memory is celebrated on February 8.

Saint Bakhita inspires us to live with courage, love, and trust in the power of God to transform even the most difficult situations.

For the right to an education

For the right to an education

by | Jan 5, 2025 | Migrants Refugees, Migrants, refugees Human trafficking

Let us pray for migrants, refugees and those affected by war, that their right to an education, which is necessary to build a better world, might always be respected.

Pope Francis

Today we’re experiencing an “educational catastrophe.” This is no exaggeration. Due to wars, migration, and poverty, some 250 million boys and girls lack education.

All children and youth have the right to go to school, regardless of their immigration status.

Education is a hope for everyone – it can save migrants and refugees from discrimination, criminal networks, and exploitation…. So many minors are exploited! It can help them integrate into the communities who host them.

Education opens the doors to a better future. In this way, migrants and refugees can contribute to society, either in their new country or in their country of origin, should they decide to return.

And let’s never forget that whoever welcomes the foreigner, welcomes Jesus Christ.

Let us pray for migrants, refugees and those affected by war, that their right to an education, which is necessary to build a more human world, might always be respected.

(Pope Francis prayer intention, January 2025)

“Caring for refugees” campaign

“Caring for refugees” campaign

by | Jan 2, 2025 | Migrants Refugees, Migrants, refugees Human trafficking

Last October 22, 2024 the Catholic Bishops Conference of Mozambique ended a statement saying:

“Mozambique must not return to violence! Our country deserves truth, peace, tranquillity, and tolerance!
Let us pray for peace, be artificers of justice, and witnesses to the truth”.

It was a prophetic voice.

Unfortunately it was not heard and Mozambique returned to violence. As reported also by UNCHR, post-election unrest in Mozambique has forced thousands of people to flee their homes. Many crossed the border into Eswatini.

On December 30, 2024 the Prime Minister of Eswatini reported before December 15 asylum seekers would not be over 23 a day. It changed in the second half of the month and in just one day (29 December) 399 arrived at Malindza Refugee Reception Centre.

Caritas Eswatini got in touch with the Reception Centre and, on 31 December, thanks to different donors we were able to provide 150 mattresses and 150 blankets.

We are grateful to the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC) for reaching out to us and sending their contribution.

Having heard of the inmediate needs, the bishop launched an appeal to the diocese of Manzini asking to celebrate the feast of the Epiphany of the Lord in a different way: each child would donate a toy from home and each family would bring canned fish.

Members of religious communities who speak Swahili and Portuguese were also asked to offer psychosocial and counselling services.