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The Franciscan Church in Bratislava was crowded with people who gathered on the 8th of February, 2017, the International day of Prayer and Awareness against Human Trafficking, to pray for the victims of human trafficking worldwide.
Fr. Felix celebrated Mass and his Homily focused specifically on the issue of modern day slavery and its impact on countless millions of lives.
During the Liturgy, several Slovakian victims of human trafficking spoke of their personal experiences. Each story was accompanied by a candle, symbolising the light of hope and the candle was subsequently placed on a map of the world, as a gesture of solidarity in prayer for the victims of human trafficking worldwide.
The church choir, Chorus Salvatoris, accompanied the Liturgy with Taizé hymns.
An exhibition of photographs entitled ‘’Life after Trafficking- Life after Deliverance,’’ was staged in the Franciscan church. The photographs were accompanied by the words of victims, speaking of their memories, hopes and desires following their return to Slovakia.
A screening of the short film entitled ‘’Ivan,’’ took place after Mass. This film is an authentic testimony from Ivan, who was one of our clients, a victim of human trafficking who died on the eve of St. Bakhita’s Day, 2015.
“In conclusion, we share a common lamp lighting the candles of hope for victims of trafficking. The light has to symbolise the freedom and dignity of every person and also hope for deliverance of all those in the shackles of enslavement.’’
Full details of the event are available at www.obchodsludmi.sk
Adapted and prepared by Anne Kelleher, RENATE Communications.
STOP Human Trafficking-Caritas Slovakia share news of Liturgy at the Franciscan Church, Bratislava, 8th February, 2017.