From Fr. Mark-July 20, 2025

From Fr. Mark                      

On July 28 & 29, 2025 Rome will host a Jubilee event gathering of Digital Missionaries and Catholic Influencers from around the globe. This Jubilee event is dedicated to evangelizing through social media. This will be a reunion for many who first met at World Youth Day in Lisbon in 2023.During that event, Cardinal José Tolentino de Mendonça, Prefect of the Dicastery for Culture and Education, addressed the young influencers in his homily and told them that "today, the Church needs you, dear digital influencers, to bring hope into these new social spaces that are social media and social networks."

            Pope Francis has encouraged digital missionaries to see themselves as a community, "part of the Church’s missionary life, which has never feared to venture into new horizons and frontiers. With creativity and courage," he said, "proclaim God's Mercy.” This Jubilee aims to foster a sense of community and communion among digital missionaries. It will be a chance for this missionary community, united by a common mission, to gather and pass through the Holy Door during the Jubilee year.

            On July 13, Aparecida will host the first National Meeting of Digital Missionaries in Brazil. This event is promoted by the Episcopal Commission for Social Communications (Cepac) of the Brazilian Bishops' Conference (CNBB), in collaboration with the Episcopal Commission for Youth, Santa Carona, Igrejeiros, Soul Shine Branding, Pascom Brasil, and Jovens Conectados.The meeting, themed "Cast the Nets" inspired by the Gospel of Luke, will run from 9 am to 6 pm.

            Bishop Amilton Manoel da Silva of Guarapuava, a member of the Cepac CNBB, has highlighted the importance of journeying together, saying "we are living a special moment in the Church, with Pope Francis urging us to live synodality. This requires each of us to unite and seek unity in Christ Jesus, fostering communion among ourselves.” He notes that today's digital landscape provides a unique opportunity for spreading God's word and building the Kingdom, urging people to move beyond complacency and apathy and rediscover the wonder of Jesus Christ and the Gospel.

            The Roman Catholic Church has acknowledged the great good that social media can play in the spreading of the faith. A young man known as the first “millennial saint” will soon be canonized. His web pages and social media presence have brought many people including his own parents to the faith and the practice of the sacraments.

Blessed Carlo Acutis, the beloved teen known as “God’s influencer,” captured global attention for his deep devotion to the Eucharist, his use of technology to evangelize, and his joy in living out the Catholic faith. He died at just 15 years old on October 12, 2006, after suffering from leukemia, and was buried in Assisi according to his wishes. In 2018, he was declared venerable and later beatified in 2020. Then, on May 23, 2024, Pope Francis approved a second miracle attributed to Acutis’ intercession — the healing of Valeria Valverde, a 21-year-old Costa Rican woman who miraculously recovered from a fatal bicycle accident and severe head trauma.

            Following this approval, Acutis’ cause moved swiftly. On July 1, 2024, Pope Francis convened a consistory to vote on several causes for canonization, including Acutis. The ceremony confirmed that Acutis would be proclaimed a saint, alongside Blesseds Giuseppe Allamano, Marie-Léonie Paradis, and Elena Guerra. Yet, while the canonization was approved, no date was announced at the time.

            The exact date was finally revealed months later, during a general audience in November 2024. Pope Francis announced that Carlo Acutis’ canonization would be held on April 27, 2025, a moment meant to coincide with the Jubilee of Teenagers — a detail that brought “great enthusiasm by the faithful — and especially by teenagers from around the world,” according to ACI Prensa.

            Due to the death of Pope Francis, the canonization date was postponed. Pope Leo said Acutis will be canonized along with Pier Giorgio Frassati, who died at the age of 24 after contracting polio while helping the sick on September 7.

            There has been much interest in this “first millennial saint” I invite you to visit these sites: Learn about the International Exhibition of Eucharistic Miracles created and designed by the Blessed Carlo Acutis: www.miracolieucaristici.org and the official website of Blessed Carlo Acutis at: www.carloacutis.com/en/association 

Prayer for Mindful Social Media Use

Psalm 19:14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

O Father, grant us the wisdom to navigate the digital world with intention and grace. Help us to use social media as a tool for connection and positivity, rather than distraction and division.

May our interactions reflect Your love, and may we always seek to uplift others. Guide our hearts and minds to be mindful stewards of the platforms we engage with.

Amen.

Pilgrims on the Way of Hope:

Jubilee of Digital Missionaries and Catholic Influencers

Prayer for Integrity in Digital Spaces

Dear Lord, We seek Your guidance in navigating the vast digital world. Grant us the strength to uphold integrity in our online interactions, to speak truthfully, and to act with honor. Help us to be beacons of light, promoting kindness and respect in every digital space we enter. May our actions reflect Your love and righteousness.

Amen.            (Adapted from the Australian Catholic Bishops)