The Pope App exemplifies how God works through technology for the good. One cellphone app is able to connect its users straight to the current happenings of the Church by following the Pope. Pope Francis’ tweets, addresses, homilies, messages, and all current Vatican news are only some of the things one will find on this app. Three days ago I downloaded this app and read a small article, which touched my heart and immediately redirected my prayers towards a particular intention. If it were not for technology, I might not know the significance of this February 8th.
Usually, February 8th is just the feast day of St. Josephine Bakhita. Originally from Sudan, she was born in 1868. At the age of seven, she was kidnapped and sold into slavery. Then in 1883, she was sold the last time to an Italian consul in Sudan. Eventually, he brought her to Italy, and it was there she encountered Christ. Her encounter with Catholicism led her to be baptized and confirmed. Ultimately, her desire to pursue a religious vocation in order to serve a new Master, Christ, directed her to seek freedom from slavery. She succeeded in gaining her freedom as well as becoming a religious. St. Josephine is a Saint that brings hope for the atrocities of slavery and human trafficking. A hope voiced by St. John Paul II at her canonization.
“We find a shining advocate of genuine emancipation. The history of her life inspires not passive acceptance but the firm resolve to work effectively to free girls and women from oppression and violence, and to return them to their dignity in the full exercise of their rights.”
As of 2012, there were approximately 20.9 million victims of human trafficking and slavery. Since then, the number has greatly increased. Forced labor and sexual exploitation are not problems of bygones eras, they are problems victimizing millions today. While women and young girls account for most of the sex trafficking victims, millions of children are being exploited for labor. Not even America is free from these terrible crimes. However, despite the grim reality of human trafficking, there is hope. St. Josephine is a beacon of that hope for all those trying to end the hidden oppression of victims internationally.
Incidentally, this February 8, 2015 is the first International Day of Prayer and Awareness against Human Trafficking. The Catholic Church is seeking to combat human trafficking on St. Josephine’s feast day by joining prayers with her intercession. This day is more then just words of condemnation. By uniting the faithful in prayer, the Church is prompting global action against the gross violations of human dignity. They are inviting the world to participate in a day of prayer and reflection on this serious matter. Additionally, they are inviting everyone to say this special prayer.
“O God, when we hear of children and adults deceived and taken to unknown places for purposes of sexual exploitation, forced labor, and organ ‘harvesting’, our hearts are saddened and our spirits angry that their dignity and rights are ignored through threats, lies, and force.
We cry out against the evil practice of this modern slavery, and pray with St. Bakhita for it to end.
Give us wisdom and courage to reach out and stand with those whose bodies, hearts and spirits have been so wounded, so that together we may make real your promises to fill these sisters and brothers with a love that is tender and good.
Send the exploiters away empty-handed to be converted from this wickedness, and help us all to claim the freedom that is your gift to your children. Amen“
Undoubtedly, God’s hand was involved in bringing this prayer to me through technology and now He is bringing it to you. Some people only see technology in a very negative light. They believe it propels bad communication skills, isolationism, shortened attention spans, impatience, etc. While there may be some truth in these claims, it does seem that they are forgetting the positive effects of technology. Truly, the beautiful fruits of it cannot be denied. Whether it be by spreading the truth or bringing to light current matters of faith for the Church, technology helps manifest God in a unique and powerful way. Technology is able to connect people all over the world on issues such as human trafficking and bringing people together to safeguard human dignity.
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