Formation in a Digital Age
Opening Prayer
Lord,
You see me completely,
not through filters or images.
Guard my mind and heart
in a world of constant noise.
Teach me to use technology wisely
and not be ruled by it.
Amen.
Part One
Tools That Shape Us
Technology is not neutral.
Every tool shapes behaviour.
Books shape attention.
Television shapes imagination.
Social media shapes identity.
Social media is not simply communication.
It encourages:
Constant comparison.
Public self-presentation.
Immediate reaction.
Endless scrolling.
The Church does not condemn technology.
But she teaches that anything shaping the soul
must be examined.
If human beings are body and soul,
then what enters the mind matters.
What you repeatedly consume
forms habits of thought.
Pause and Reflect
How much time do I spend online?
Does my use of social media strengthen or weaken my attention?
Do I compare myself constantly to others?
Part Two
Image and Identity
Social media encourages curation.
Images are edited.
Moments are selected.
Weakness is hidden.
Identity becomes performance.
But identity is not constructed from approval.
It is rooted in being created by God.
If self-worth depends on:
Likes,
Views,
Comments,
then dignity becomes fragile.
The Church teaches that human dignity
is not earned by visibility.
It is inherent.
Digital culture can distort this.
Comparison produces envy.
Envy produces insecurity.
Insecurity produces anxiety.
The soul becomes restless.
Consider
Do I measure my value by online response?
Would my sense of identity change
if social media disappeared?
Part Three
Truth and Reaction
Social media rewards speed.
Immediate reaction.
Short statements.
Strong emotion.
But truth requires patience.
Deep thought does not fit into rapid scrolling.
Relativism thrives in environments
where complexity is reduced to slogans.
Outrage spreads quickly.
Nuance spreads slowly.
The Catholic intellectual tradition values:
Careful reasoning.
Measured judgement.
Charity in disagreement.
Digital spaces often encourage the opposite.
Constant exposure to argument
can harden the heart.
Constant exposure to distraction
can weaken the mind.
Reflect Honestly
Do I read carefully
or react quickly?
Have I allowed online conflict
to shape my view of others?
Part Four
Purity of Mind and Heart
What you see repeatedly shapes desire.
The Church teaches that guarding the senses
protects the soul.
Not because the body is bad.
But because the imagination is powerful.
Constant exposure to:
Sexualised content,
Mockery,
Violence,
Cynicism,
normalises what should not be normal.
Habits form quietly.
Character shifts gradually.
Attention fragments.
Prayer becomes harder.
Silence becomes uncomfortable.
If grace transforms,
constant noise distorts.
Consider
Is my attention disciplined?
Can I sit in silence comfortably?
Has digital noise reduced my capacity for prayer?
Part Five
Discipline and Freedom
The answer is not rejection of technology.
It is mastery.
Freedom requires discipline.
If you cannot step away from your phone,
freedom is weakened.
If you cannot resist comparison,
peace is disturbed.
The Church calls for temperance —
moderation guided by reason.
Set limits.
Protect attention.
Choose what you consume.
Digital life is not separate from spiritual life.
The soul is formed by repeated action.
Use technology deliberately.
Do not let it use you.
Quiet Reflection
Sit quietly without a screen.
Notice the silence.
Ask yourself:
What fills my mind most of the day?
Does it draw me toward God
or distract me from Him?
Remain in silence.
This Week
Choose one:
• Limit social media use deliberately for several days.
• Remove one source of negative influence.
• Spend ten minutes in silence without devices.
• Pray simply: “Lord, guard my mind.”
Closing Prayer
Lord,
You see beyond images and noise.
Free me from comparison and distraction.
Teach me to use technology wisely
and protect my soul from distortion.
Keep my mind clear
and my heart faithful.
Amen.
St. Mary's, St. John Bosco and St. Edward's 