Day THREE: Passion for Humanity

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Text from the Cardinal:

“Nothing human is foreign to me.”

“I am a man, and I am familiar with everything human.” (Terence, from Heautontimorumenos, v. 77). It is a cry that started from Rome, and which echoes throughout the universe. I am a man; injustice towards other people revolts my heart. I am a man; oppression is unworthy of my nature. I am a man; the cruelties against so many of my fellow-creatures instigate only horror within me. I am a man, and what I would like to be done to give me freedom, honour, the sacred bonds of the family, I want to do in order to restore to the sons of this unfortunate race, family, honour and freedom (E.98).

Reflection:

Through the correspondence with his missionaries on the field, Lavigerie became aware of the horrendous crime of slave trade and the plight of the Africans. Using the information from the ground he took his pilgrim staff and toured European major cities in an anti-slavery movement and campaign. As a result of his anti-slavery crusade, several anti-slavery movements were created, joining other movements such as the British and Foreign Anti-Slavery Society (BFAS) and the Aborigines Protection Society. (APS). With financial help from Pope Leo XIII, Lavigerie linked up with ecclesiastical authorities all over Europe. In 1888 he created in Brussels the Anti-Slavery Society in support of his anti-slavery campaign, with the support of Pope Leo XIII. Three years later Pope Leo XIII wrote his encyclical letter Rerum Novarum, the foundation of the social doctrine of the Church. The statement that Lavigerie made at the Church of Gesu on December 23rd, 1888, expresses his deep respect for the dignity of every human person.

Intention:

Let us pray for the end of the injustice of human trafficking and other forms of modern slavery on the continent. We pray for victims of these horrendous crimes and for the conversion of the human traffickers and their accomplices.