8 February 2016

"The Jubilee of Mercy to Free Today's Slaves"

Programs, initiatives and suggestions for Saturday, Sunday and Monday:

6-7-8 February 2016

Rome: Saturday night 6 February 8:00PM – 10.00PM

Prayer Vigil in the Basilica of the Holy Heart of Jesus (via Marsala, 42 – Rome – near Termini train station)

The celebration will be led by Msgr. Guerino di Tora, President of the Italian Bishops' Conference Migrants Commission. There will be prayers, songs and reflections, alternated with information and stories to increase awareness of the crime of human trafficking. It will end with a short pilgrimage towards the Holy Door of the House of Charity in Via Marsala, to express our need for purification and mercy as well as our commitment to free today's slaves.

Rome: Sunday 7 February 10.45AM Eucharistic Celebration in the Church of Santo Spirito in Sassia - Sanctuary of Divine Mercy (Via dei Penitenzieri, 12, Rome) Led by Msgr. Paolo Lojudice, Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Rome.

12.00PM Angelus in St Peter's Square and the Pope's Blessing

Monday 8 February 2016: On the feast day of St Bakhita, Eucharist celebrations in all the male and female religious communities, evoking and praying for all the forms of slavery and exploitation present on our streets and in our territories.

Coming together for special prayer and reflection moments is advisable in institutes for the aged and for the sick, and in schools, also to listen to the personal accounts of those people who work in shelters, drop-in centres, children's homes…

We would be grateful to receive your programs, comments and information on awareness-raising programs in your dioceses, parishes, communities and schools. Thank you.

Sr Eugenia Bonetti and the team working in Rome

USEFUL MATERIAL

Celebration: Who Is My Neighbour (PPT)

Who Is My Neighbour (PDF)

Prayer Service (PDF)

Way of the Cross of Human Trafficking Victims (.docx)

Background Information on Human Trafficking (PDF)

Interfaith Toolkit on Human Trafficking (PDF)

Rosary Celebration (PDF)

St Bakhita Celebration (PDF)

Trafficking in Women (PPT)

Pope Francis' Message for the Jubilee of Mercy

Pope Francis' Message for the Celebration of the 48th World Peace Day, 1 January 2015, Slaves no more but brothers and sisters

Pope Francis' Address to the Pontificia Accademia delle Scienze Sociali 18 April 2015

Pope Francis' Address to the Santa Marta Group 2015

Logo of the Holy Year of Mercy