My thoughts on social media . . .

Friends, Social media presents both marvelous advantages and serious pitfalls—both opportunities for evangelization and lures for dysfunctional and deeply destructive instincts: calumny, spleen venting, virtue signaling, manipulation, and addiction. The latest issue of Evangelization & Culture affords us a much-needed opportunity to step back, take a deep breath, and reflect on this phenomenon, which has so suddenly and so dramatically changed the world. You'll read about social media from a variety of angles—evangelical, scientific, artistic, practical, familial—and about how it especially shapes our young people, many of whom now spend more time scrolling through social media than they do socializing in person. If you would like to receive a copy of this new Evangelization & Culture issue, visit wof.org/social-media.  GET MY FREE COPY Social media provides tools for announcing the good news that Paul, Augustine, Aquinas, Pascal, Newman, and even Fulton Sheen never dreamed possible. While remaining clear-eyed about its limitations and prudent in how we use it—and how often—I invite you to consider committing yourself in a special way to evangelizing through social media in 2026. Together let us declare Christ to the ends of the world! Peace, Bishop Robert Barron Word on Fire Catholic Ministries, PO Box 97330, Washington, DC 20090-7330, United States Manage Your Email Preferences