Overview
- St. Jerome Emiliani, born in Venice in 1486, is honored as patron of orphans and abandoned youth after a conversion that led him from military life to serving the poor.
- He founded the Clerics Regular of Somasca to educate and care for vulnerable children, and he was canonized in 1767.
- St. Josephine Bakhita, born in Sudan around 1869, survived childhood enslavement, later gained freedom, embraced Christianity, and became a Canossian sister.
- Her life story has made her a global emblem in the fight against human trafficking, and the Church observes a World Day of Prayer and Reflection against Trafficking on Feb. 8 in her honor.
- The santoral notes invite believers to reflect on faith expressed through solidarity, justice, and compassion.