Media Mindfulness Blog

Celebrating the Feast of the Chair of St Peter on social media: do we need a special “spam filter” for that? By guest contributor Sr. Anne Joan Flanagan, FSP.

Taking time to reflect on the media we read, watch, view, and respond to is the easiest—and best—way to start. Putting that media in dialogue with the Word of God is invaluable in helping us grow as disciples of Christ.

Sr Helena applies St John Paul II's masterful Theology of the Body to a practical way of doing media literacy. It is all about how we see and understand the human body and consider its portrayals in popular media culture.

Sr Jennifer reflects on Pope Francis' World Communications Day message on the connection between social network communities and the human community. He challenges us to consider what it really means to be "connected."

Based on the writings of their founder, Blessed James Alberione, the Daughters of St Paul have created the "Canticle of Praise for the Media in Today's World." This special prayer helps us to see the technological inventions for communication as gifts of God to be used wisely in order to uphold the dignity of every human person and to proclaim the truth, beauty, and goodness of God.

In today's social media climate, I want to offer a means to grow in media mindfulness and personal reflection. Only if we seek silence, prayer, and personal reflection can we project the media virtues of prudence, justice, temperance, and fortitude. Holy Spirit, guide our online choices and give the spirit of discernment as we navigate the internet and our social media feeds!

Sometimes a film has the power to make us question our own motivations and beliefs. It can lead us to examine where we find true interaction with the Divine and whether the extraordinary supernatural situations become the only faith-confirming moments for us, or if we simply do not find the miraculous in the everyday.

As we liturgically reflect on St Paul's conversion story, we can look to film for inspiration on how that practically happens in people's lives. A true conversion or metanoia is really about a "change of heart," a transformation that takes place at the core of one's humanity. See my list of 10 films that do this so well.

Scott Young is co-founder and President of Culture Connection, a non-profit that generates program and provides support for thoughtful creativity, media experiences, urban adventures, and spiritual exploration. He interviews Sr Rose about her experience of being an internationally acclaimed film critic.

Manifest looks at the topic of faith and finding meaning in a world where, at times, there may not seem to be any meaning.