Media - Venture of the Congregation into the Social Media Communication (SMC)

Venture of the Congregation into the Social Media Communication (SMC)

“Our mission is to announce Jesus Christ…” C. 82. The Congregation always remained faithful to its mission to make the message of Jesus known, and to do this, it has made use of various technological resources that were available at different periods of its history. The SMC continue to be an opportunity and at the same time a challenge for this proclamation. We have taken steps in its use, but there is still a lot more, to take risk and to learn.

Sr. Maria Escayola Coris, Superior General, in her circular letter of March 10, told us: "We still have many challenges ahead to make the social means of communication a platform for the proclamation of the Gospel. However, it is an indisputable and indispensable means of communication and conversation with the world.” ^[1] This is a great challenge that, in the present situation that we are currently living through the COVID-19, has driven us to let go of our fear and risk using technology to announce the Gospel, to accompany us and make ourselves present at different times, circumstances or events, thus generating hope and strengthening bonds through virtual encounters.

Social communication, considered as one of the greatest dimensions of humanity, makes humanity forge a new culture because, as Pope Francis says: We are not born complete, but need to be constantly “woven”, “knitted together”. Life is given to us as an invitation to continue to weave the “wonderful” mystery that we are.^[2]  It is through communication that we come closer, that we make ourselves known and that we become more and more.

The Congregation has persistently invited us to reflect on SMC and take a stand. This call has its origin in our own apostolic project “to bring…wherever they are called, the knowledge of Jesus Christ and his mysteries.”^[3]  Let us take a look at this process that has allowed us to journey forward, to face the challenges to configure our work in the virtual world.

• In 1998, XII EGC of Cali, Colombia told us: "The new technologies of communication and of information, also engender new forms of analphabetism… therefore, we must enter with discernment in the world of technology and communication.”^[4]
• In 2002, XIV EGC in Bangalore, India. "The importance of the means of social communication, the need to form ourselves for their correct use and to benefit from them for our apostolic projection.”^[5]
• In 2004, the 52^nd General Chapter opened the Congregation's website and in 2009 at the 53^rd General Chapter, we were asked to pay attention to "formation and updating in the means of communication and in new technologies, stirring up a critical attitude in the face of their adequate use at the service of the mission”.^[6]
• In 2006, the XV EGC of Mexico, saw that "“with the creation of the web page we were invited to greater communication among ourselves, in relation to the world, the mission and our own life in the Congregation…”^[7]
• In 2008, the XVI EGC of Bucaramanga, "... values the information work through the Congregation’s web page, as well as those of the Provinces”.^[8]
• In 2011, the XVII EGC of Cartagena, said "the means of communication and the new technologies also demand a formation according to circumstances”.^[9]
• In 2013 the XVIII EGC of Cochabamba, continues with the reflection: "Make a better and wider use of the social means of communication at the level of the Congregation”.^[10]
• In 2014, the 54^th General Chapter of Tours - France, in the section on mission, reminds us that we need "To enter into the world of social means of communication, using them as “new ways of evangelization,” bringing the people to God and God to the people.”^[11] In addition to the project on the SMC for Evangelization, two brochures were handed out: The media at the service of evangelization (a documentary approach and a practical approach).
• In 2019, the 55th General Chapter, La Turena - Bucaramanga, when speaking about the mission, invites us to: " Provide an adequate formation in …the critical use of the SMC for all the sisters from the initial stages.”^[12]

Our lived experience throughout the year 2020 and in these first months of 2021, not only due to the global health crisis, but also the enthusiasm in the Congregation at the celebration of the year of grace of the 25 years of the Beatification of our Mother Foundress and now 325 years of our foundation, has allowed us to use the media better and in diversified ways, discovering its benefits much more.  At the same time there is a need for a doctrinal and technological formation to proclaim the Gospel from virtual platforms and social networks. These new technological Areopagus allow us to generate hope, share our experience of God and reach so many people who thirst for God and Truth and who or else may be difficult to contact.

The figure of Pope Francis and his disposition to make use of SMC and its resources for evangelization, are a constant invitation for all of us. In his message for the 54^th World Communications Day, Pope Francis tells us: "Amid the cacophony of voices and messages that surround us, we need a human story that can speak of ourselves and of the beauty all around us. A narrative that can regard our world and its happenings with a tender gaze"^[13].  And in his latest encyclical Fratelli Tutti, he also reminds us that “the media can help us to feel closer to one another…We need constantly to ensure that present-day forms of communication are in fact guiding us to generous encounter with others, to honest pursuit of the whole truth, to service, to closeness to the underprivileged and to the promotion of the common good.” ^[14]

Text: Sr. Martha Mendieta Aztatzi

• Will we be able to accept this challenge?

• Will we be able to discover the inner beauty that inhabits within us and speak about it?

• Will the fire of the Gospel burn in us that cannot be reserved for itself, but must burn in all and for all?

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