PRAYER FOR SEPTEMBER 23 2015
WORLD DAY AGAINST TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS
1. SHORT INVOCATION TO THE HOLY SPIRIT
2. FATHER-MOTHER OF LIFE: You are present in our being, our body and our senses; we find
flavors, smells, textures and sounds of this world both strange and similar to our own world. May
we be present to all beings that You have created, with our sorrows, pleasures, struggles, silences,
holidays, routines, creativity, our burdens and our dreams, presence of men and women of all
ages, dynamic presence of children, boys and girls from all walks of life, races, religions and
cultures; you are present in families. You are Father-Mother full of tenderness, love,
understanding and mercy.
SILENCE: ENCOUNTER WITH JESUS
3. We thank you for the gift of life, for the gift of a common house for all your creatures and for
the incredible gift of being your sons and daughters, marking our human dignity and making us
responsible for it. Respect for the human person that implies equality of human rights is derived
from that dignity. Respect for the human person implies considering the brother and sister as
oneself, taking care of life and taking the means to live with dignity. “Whatever you did for one of
the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” (Mt 25: 40) Economic inequality
and human trafficking are serious sins of injustice and disrespect for human beings, sins that go
directly against human dignity. Gender with its many gifts, is a sacred value that you put in all
beings, including humans. No one has the right to deceive and exploit its dimension in any way. It
is with deep sadness that we notice everywhere in the world and especially in Latin America, the
terrible crime of “human trafficking”. Young people, sometimes since childhood, and in some
cases, even adults, mostly women, are forced on this path through deceit and are subjected to
cruel slavery. They are left without any hope that one day the violators will repent. Father-Mother
of life we implore you to save life with its dignity.
SILENCE - ARDENT SUPPLICATION
- Sharing experiences and stories related with human trafficking
4. SONG: LORD HAVE MERCY ON US (Choose an appropriate hymn of supplication)
5. PSALM 21: THE GRANDEUR OF HUMAN BEINGS
R. We thank you Lord, our Father, our Mother, you have created us in your image and in your
likeness. (Or any other refrain)
Lord of Life: how great, is the human person you created.
You bestowed it with freedom, intelligence and wisdom
And gave it the ability to decide
How wonderful is your love!
You placed humans in constant relation with other beings of the universe. R
How great, so very great are human beings. Our rapid evolution
placed us in relation with the sidereal spaces.
You created us in your image and your likeness
Your grandeur is revealed in us, human beings. R.
Humanity is wonderful but in many aspects, yet its greatness is only in appearance
Humans are great when they feel, suffer or live with others,
When love is embodied in actions that lead to compassion, to offer a helping hand
to a crying child, the vulnerable, the one who suffers, or the solitary person along the way. R.
You created human beings so great, because you wanted, not only to convey your love
and wisdom to humanity, but to send your Beloved Son.
He came to take part in our humanity, to become one of us, our elder Brother,
leader of humanity and he revealed the key to our greatness. R
God of Love, in Christ, you have given us the same dignity, the infinite greatness
to love one another in Him, to be your children. You made us brothers and sisters in Him.
Our successes are now at the service of every human being. R
Receive our grateful heart. Let us live in your presence and lead us to your compassionate love.
Amen
6. OUR FATHER OF THE MARTYRS
OUR FATHER of the poor and the marginalized, our father of the martyrs and the tortured
Your name is sacrificed in those who die to defend life
Your name is glorified when justice is our measure
Your reign is freedom, fraternity, peace and communion.
Cursed be the violence that devours humanity through repression
May your will be done, you, true God, our Liberator.
We will not follow the evil doctrines of an oppressive power.
Give us the bread of life, the bread of hope, the bread of the poor,
the bread that restores humanity, that builds up men and women again without using weapons.
We ask for the gift of respect and love for life and dignity. We ask that every man and woman
accept his or her gender as a great treasure. Each human being is a sacred vessel.
Together, as a community, may we bear your image.
Forgive us when in front of death we remain silent because of fear,
Forgive us and transform the reign of corruption so that its law does not prevail.
Protect us against the evil of arrogant persons and murderers
Father of mercy, help of the poor, God of the oppressed…
Amen.
HAIL MARY
TOGETHER: In the hands of Mary, we offer you, merciful God, the best of our lives to build your
Reign.
7. WITH YOUR BLESSING, WE PURSUE OUR JOURNEY, FULL OF HOPE IN THE NAME OF THE
FATHER, OF THE SON AND OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, UNITED WITH MARY, OUR TENDER AND BELOVED
MOTHER.
Santa Marta Community, Colombia