During this National Slavery and Human Trafficking month, Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity invite you to join the Franciscan Family in praying for the millions of women, men and children currently held in slavery-like conditions who are victims of human trafficking. This January 11 we highlight St. Clare as our special advocate on National Human Trafficking Awareness Day.
As we ask for enlightenment for those who are in bondage, betrayed, forgotten and despairing, we picture St. Clare holding onto Jesus her strength while attempting to protect her Sisters from harm. We reflect on words from her third and fourth letters:
O God, You are the gift of Wisdom. You are the incomparable treasure of the world and of the human heart. You are the mirror of eternity, the brillance of glory, the figure of the divine substance. You are the hidden sweetness, You are the truth that holds all things together. You are our sacred banquet. You are the glorious vision of the heavenly Jerusalem. You are the splendor of eternal glory, the brilliance of eternal light and the mirror without blemish. You are the Most High King, the King of angels, the Lord of heaven and earth.
O God, You know that abuse and power are key to the cycle of human trafficking. Deliver us from darkness into your wonderful light. Move us to action for justice, contemplative prayer and daily conversion of heart. This we ask in Jesus name. Amen.
Listen, sing, hum this Les Miserables song…
I dreamed a dream in time gone by
When hope was high
And life worth living
I dreamed that love would never die
I dreamed that God would be forgiving…
St. Francis and St. Clare, pray for us.