Meeting God in a
Victim of Trafficking

God always surprises us with new calls!

During a few days of prayer and rest at a retreat center here in Rome, I brought with me the 2007 General Chapter document and some other materials which I had received from Brazil. I read, reflected and prayed using this material as a departure point, especially a communication prepared by the Ongoing Formation Committee which described discernment as a moment of self-emptying and personal challenge. I found myself focusing on the issue of human trafficking – an issue which was unanimously affirmed by the members of the General Chapter as a concern for us as RSHM.

While on retreat, I carried in my heart the name of a young, trafficked, depressed Brazilian woman whom I had met and to whom I had listened. Directed to her by the International Organization for Migrants (IOM), it was the first time in my life that I was confronted face to face with this brutal reality as lived by one of its victims. I carried her face, her pain, her sufferings with me during retreat. I was fearful of the paths where God was leading me, but I arranged a second meeting with the young woman. She had expressed a desire for a blessing for herself and for the shelter where she and other trafficked women are given hospitality here in Rome. I prepared a celebration, asking God to enlighten me, to find the best way to respond to this individual and to give me the grace to communicate a word of hope, of life since she had shared suicidal thoughts with me.

I brought with me a worship aid, blessed, perfumed water, Italian chocolates for her to bring to Brazil, a picture of the Good Shepherd - Jesus carrying the injured lamb on his shoulders. While preparing these items, I prayed a great deal, because I was aware of the great pain she had experienced in Switzerland, Spain and Italy. I was also concerned, feeling as if walking on eggshells, since the coordinator of the shelter was on vacation and might not wish to have the residence blessed by me.

When I arrived at the shelter, which is located in a neglected area of Rome near the Train Station, what greeted me was a different face, one much more human - she had even removed the dark glasses she had used during our first visit.

We had our celebration – just the two of us . . . Before we prayed, I had offered her the picture, a gesture which moved her greatly...For the first time, I saw her smile and she said, “I am going to ask my father to bring this to priest in our parish to be blessed. This is going to stay in my room in Brazil.” I think that the celebration was both comforting and consoling for her – we prayed together and she even made her own spontaneous prayer, placing her needs before God. At the end, I sprinkled her with the blessed, perfumed water...

She thanked me several times, smiled and embraced me! I said good-bye and returned to the generalate grateful for the goodness God had shown me. I received much more that I had given to this young woman. I was filled with deep joy and profound peace for God’s faithful companionship during this encounter. I believe that God truly responded to my retreat prayer: “Give me a compassionate and merciful heart.”

Later, the IOM invited me to visit their office. IOM had also contacted the shelter coordinator with my request to work with other trafficked Brazilian women who reside there. She was very happy to receive my request, thank God!

Teach me your paths, O God...

Antonietta Abreu, RSHM Rome,
25 August 2007

International Organization for Migrants: Antonietta Abreu, Martina Andretta, Teresa Albano and Stefano Volpicelli

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June 2007