Saints Who Guide Us Through the Digital Age: Holy Helpers for Modern Technology

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In our family home, we have a running joke about my parents calling me or my siblings whenever they have a technology problem. “The router’s not working!” or “How do I save this document?” We’ve become the default tech support. This experience got me thinking about how we use technology as Catholics in today’s digital environment.

Technology itself—whether it’s smartphones, artificial intelligence, or social media—is morally neutral. Like a hammer, car, or telephone, these tools aren’t inherently good or evil. It’s how we choose to use them that matters. This perspective isn’t new to Catholic thinking. The Church has always recognized that human innovation serves a purpose in God’s plan when used properly. 

While seeking digital balance, I discovered we have spiritual guides for this journey too. The communion of saints offers us models for using technology virtuously, even saints who lived long before the internet age.

Saint Isidore of Seville: The Ancient Patron of the Internet

“The 7th century patron saint of the internet seems odd, but Saint Isidore of Seville connects logically to our digital world.

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The Holy of Mercy

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Guest post by: Franci Revel Eckensberger

As often as you hear the clock strike the third hour, immerse yourself completely in My mercy, adoring and glorifying it; invoke its omnipotence for the whole world, and particularly for poor sinners; for at that moment mercy was opened wide for every soul. In this hour you can obtain everything for yourself and for others for the asking; it was the hour of grace for the whole world — mercy triumphed over justice. (Diary of Faustina Kowalska, 1572)

After the Easter Octave, the Alleluias linger in our hearts. The Gospel draws our gaze once again to Christ—not only risen but wounded, and showing His wounds to His disciples. The marks of the Passion remain visible and integral to how He is known in His victory, His love, and His Mercy. The suffering that precedes the Resurrection is made radiant in His form.

Divine Mercy

Jesus as Divine Mercy

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Jesus, I Trust in You: Living Divine Mercy Every Day

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Guest Post by: David Tonaszuck

A reflection on the Gospel of John 20:19-31

Dear friends in Christ,

There once was a man named David. For over twenty years, he had built a solid career—an expert in his field, respected, reliable, always the first to arrive and the last to leave. But then, without warning, he was let go. At first, David was sure another job would come quickly; after all, he had experience and skills. But weeks turned to months, and door after door closed in his face.

In that long season of waiting, as uncertainty crept in, David’s wife Anne was diagnosed with a serious illness. Suddenly, the reason for his unemployment became clear. God had placed him at home for this very moment—to care for Anne, to be her rock, to offer comfort only a loving husband could give. David surrendered his anxiety and whispered, “Jesus, I trust in You.” In time, Anne’s health improved, and David was led to a new job, one that allowed him to help not only his family, but others in need, too. Looking back, he saw God’s hand guiding him, every step of the way, through disappointment to hope.

From Fear and Doubt to Faith and Trust: The Journey of Thomas and the Disciples

This story, friends, is not so different from the journey of the disciples in our Gospel today. They are locked away in fear, their lives turned upside down by loss and bewilderment. Jesus, the one they trusted, had died. Their hopes seemed finished. Yet into that locked room, Jesus appears, speaking words that must have sounded almost impossible: “Peace be with you.” He shows them His wounds—the marks of His suffering and love—and the disciples rejoice. But Thomas isn’t there. When the others tell him, “We have seen the Lord,” Thomas cannot bring himself to believe. Maybe he’s protecting himself from more heartbreak. Maybe he’s just being honest about his doubts.

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3 Reasons Why I Am Thankful for Divine Mercy Sunday!

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On April 30th, 2000 Pope John Paul II officially designated the second Sunday of Easter as Divine Mercy Sunday. The designation was in celebration of the canonization of St. Maria Faustina Kowalska—the Polish nun who received the devotion from Jesus! My wife’s Confirmation saint is St. Maria Faustina and in recent years of our marriage I have been more familiar with her teaching by reading the Polish nun’s diary. While I could write for pages about the joys of this feast, I will limit myself to three reasons for why I am grateful for Divine Mercy Sunday.

divine mercy.jpg

Judgment + _____________= Love

I bet you can’t guess blank to fill out the equation. Let me give you a clue: the word is in the title of today’s post. You guessed it—mercy! The Church’s renewed focus on Divine Mercy to start the new millennium gave me a renewed focus as well. I grew up usually thinking about the power of God and His ability to judge us. For whatever reason I viewed God more as a judge and less like a merciful Father. Divine Mercy Sunday is a gift that helps remind me that God, though a judge, is a merciful judge and will give me many chances to correct the mistakes I make.

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Do Not Be Afraid: Living the Hope and Glory of the Resurrection

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Guest Post by: David Tonaszuck

Easter Sunday Homily Reflection — Matthew 28:1-10

My friends, let me begin with a story from right here, in our own time.

A few years ago, a man in his fifties named Davide faced the most difficult season of his life. He had lost his job over a year ago and, try as he might, he had a very difficult time getting hired; no one seemed to want him—maybe because he was close to retirement? Who knew. On top of that, his beloved wife, Anita, had fallen seriously ill from a relentless illness.

The doctors’ news was never what they hoped for, and each day seemed to bring new worries. Fear crept in during the quiet hours—fear for their future, fear for Anita’s health, fear that life’s best days had already passed. Davide, who had always been the steady one in his family, now felt anything but steady. Yet, each morning, he found himself waking early, sitting by Anita’s bedside in the dim morning light, quietly praying for strength, for healing, for hope.

One morning, after an especially tough night filled with worry, Davide noticed their neighbor, Mrs. Carter, struggling to put out her trash bins. Despite his exhaustion and the heavy weight of his own fears, he went out to help her. As they talked, Davide learned that Mrs. Carter was afraid too—her husband had died the year before, and loneliness had become a shadow over her days. Over the next weeks, Davide made it a habit to check on Mrs. Carter, sharing small acts of kindness, a warm meal, a listening ear. With each visit, Davide felt his own fears ease just a little. He began to see that he wasn’t alone—everyone carried fears, and everyone needed hope.

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Easter Sunday: The Joyful Center of Our Faith

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Easter Sunday stands as the radiant heart of Christianity, the day the Church rejoices in the living truth that Jesus Christ is risen from the dead. This isn’t just a commemoration of a past event. It’s the foundation of our faith and the beginning of a new creation. As the Catechism teaches, “The Resurrection of Jesus is the crowning truth of our faith in Christ” (CCC 638). When we say ‘Christ is risen,’ we proclaim that God’s love has conquered sin and death and now invites every believer to live a new kind of life.

The Meaning of Easter Sunday

In Catholic tradition, Sunday takes on new meaning because of Easter. It is the “first day of the week,” recalling the first creation, and at the same time, the “eighth day,” symbolizing the dawn of a new creation (CCC 349). The Resurrection did not simply end something. It began something entirely new. That’s why every Sunday is, in truth, a “weekly Easter,” and why the Church gathers around the Risen Lord week after week to encounter Him at the table of the Eucharist.

Easter celebrates the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. While it’s fine to enjoy the lighthearted customs of the season, like colorful eggs or the Easter bunny for the kids, it’s essential to remember that these traditions flow from the deeper mystery of Christ’s victory. The Resurrection is about real transformation. It is God’s renewal breaking into the world, into our world.

Jesus Resurrection
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