Navigating faith in the digital age

Apr 12, 2025

BUKIT MERTAJAM: The St Anne’s Youth Ministry hosted an inspiring digital talk at the Minor Basilica of St Anne recently. Led by Erwind Jozef and Jason Tioh, coordinators of St Anne’s Social Communication team, the session offered an insightful discussion on the intersection of faith, technology, and responsible digital engagement.

The event began with Jason sharing the inspiring story of Blessed Carlo Acutis, a modern role model for young Catholics. Renowned for his deep devotion to the Eucharist and his groundbreaking work in cataloguing Eucharistic miracles online, Blessed Carlo showed how technology can be harnessed to spread faith. Jason also highlighted that Blessed Carlo will be canonised on April 27, 2025 — a momentous occasion for the Church and a powerful inspiration for young people striving to live holy lives in today’s world. Encouraging attendees to reflect on their own digital habits, Jason introduced practical tools like digital well-being settings and the Pomodoro technique. These simple yet effective changes, he suggested, can help us better manage our time, fostering more meaningful moments with God and our loved ones.

In addition to time management, Jason emphasised various ways to explore and deepen our faith through media. Rather than getting lost in endless scrolling, he encouraged young Catholics to engage with digital content that nourishes the soul — such as faith-based podcasts, videos, or online communities. He also referenced Pope Francis’ message on social communication and Artificial Intelligence, reminding the audience that the Church is actively addressing the challenges of the digital age.

Erwind’s segment focused on digital safety and privacy, an increasingly important topic in today’s online world. Drawing from practical examples and personal experiences, he outlined essential steps for protecting oneself from scams and data breaches. Beyond caution, he encouraged attendees to reflect on their digital footprint and how they present themselves online. “Let’s strive to be Christ-like in the digital space as well,” he urged, emphasising the importance of being responsible digital citizens.

The session concluded with a prayer and blessing by Fr Anthony Pillai. His presence affirmed and uplifted many attendees, bringing a profound sense of unity and encouragement to all present.

As we navigate this digital age, may we strive to use technology wisely — building connections, deepening our faith, and bringing Christ’s light into the virtual world.