On this June 30, 2023, World Social Media Day, we Sisters Adorers Handmaids of the Blessed Sacrament and of Charity, would like to share with you a pastoral reflection on how to live our faith in the digital world. It is the document “Towards Full Presence”, published by the Vatican Dicastery for Communication on 29 May 2023.

As the executive summary of the website created specifically for this document explains, it aims a common reflection on Christians’ engagement with social media, which has become ever more a part of peoples’ lives. Inspired by the parable of the Good Samaritan, the text aims to promote to foster a culture of being “loving neighbors” also in the digital sphere.

Watching out for pitfalls on the digital highways

The digital revolution has created opportunities, yet presents not a few challenges. The document identifies various pitfalls to avoid as we journey along the “digital highways.” From the reduction of individual users to consumers and commodities, to the creation of “individualistic spaces” catering to like-minded individuals or encouraging extreme behaviors, the journey through the online environment is one on which many have been marginalized and wounded. For Christians, this prompts the question: How do we help the online environment to become a place of sharing, collaborating, and belonging, based on mutual trust?

From awareness to true encounter

Becoming a neighbor in the social media environment begins with a listening disposition, in the realization that the others we are encountering online are real people. Even in an environment replete with “information overload,” this attitude of intentional listening and openness of the heart makes it possible for us to move from mere awareness of the other to a genuine encounter. We can begin to recognize our digital neighbor, realizing that his or her sufferings concern us. We aim to build not only “connections” but encounters that become real relationships, strengthening local communities.

From encounter to community

On our journey along the digital highways, we encounter others either in the spirit of indifferent bystanders or in the spirit of support and companionship. If we do the latter, we – who are at times the Good Samaritan and at times the wounded – can begin to contribute to healing the wounds created by a toxic digital environment. We need to rebuild digital spaces so that they become more human and healthier environments. At the same time, we can help orient these environments so that they foster real communities based on that embodied encounter which is indispensable for those who believe in the Word become flesh.

A distinctive style

Christians bring a distinctive “style” to social media, a style of sharing that has its origins in Christ, who loved us and gave himself for us with his words, actions, soul and body. He taught us that truth is revealed in communion, and that communication also comes from communion– that is, from love.

Christians’ digital media presence will reflect this style, communicating truthful information creatively, in a way that arises from friendship and builds community. It will make use of stories; it will wield its online influence responsibly, as Christians become “weavers of communion”; it will be reflective, not reactive; it will be active in promoting activities and projects that promote human dignity; and it will be synodal, helping us to open our hearts and embrace our brothers and sisters.

This presence of Christians in social media will also bear the mark of witness. Christians are not there to sell a product or to proselytize, but rather to give witness. That is, they are there to vouch, with their words and with their lives, for what someone else – God – has done, forging a communion that unites us in Christ.

Whether they are at times the wounded, at times the Samaritan, or both, Christians’ chance encounters on social media platforms become an encounter with a neighbor whose life concerns them, and ultimately, with the Lord. In this way, communication grants a taste of the communion that has its roots in the Holy Trinity, and that is our true “promised land”.

World Social Media Day 2023: The Adorers, “Towards Full Presence”

In our journey “Towards full presence” in social networks, we, Sisters Adorers highlight the need to imitate the example of the Good Samaritan in the parable, displaying in these spaces an attitude “of openness and hospitality” (Point 28) from which we foster encounters with other people.

This interaction narrated in Luke’s Gospel “prompts us to make the first move in the digital world. We are invited to see the value and dignity of those with whom we have differences. We are also invited to look beyond our safety net, our silos, and our bubbles. Becoming a neighbour in the social media environment requires intentionality. And it all begins with the ability to listen well, to let the reality of the other touch us” (Point 29).

In this sense, we feel called to be micro-influencers (Point 74) who, like the macro-influencers, bear witness to love and welcome in the digital world. We also wish to be active, that is, “engaging in projects that affect people’s everyday lives: projects that promote human dignity and development, aim to reduce digital inequality, promote digital access to information and literacy, promote stewardship and crowdfunding initiatives in favor of those who are poor and marginalized and give voice to the voiceless in society” (Point 76).

We also commit ourselves to act as “weavers of communion”, “pooling our talents and skills, sharing knowledge and contributions” (Point 76) so that social networks become true open-door communities, taking up the challenge to bear witness to our faith in the digital world and to build bridges that bring people together rather than walls that separate them.

“May the image of the Good Samaritan, who tended to the wounds of the injured man by pouring oil and wine over them, be our inspiration. Let our communication be a balm that relieves pain and a fine wine that gladdens hearts. May the light we bring to others not be the result of cosmetics or special effects, but rather of our being loving and merciful ‘neighbours’ to those wounded and left on the side of the road” (Message of Pope Francis for the 48th World Communications Day, ”Communication at the Service of an Authentic Culture of Encounter” , 24 January 2014).

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