Bearers of Hope in today’s Digital World

“Share with gentleness the hope that is in your hearts” (cf. 1 Pet 3:15-16). As the Church celebrates the 59th World Communications Day in 2025 alongside the “Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord”, the call to “go and make disciples of all nations” takes on renewed meaning in the digital era. This theme is inspired by a letter of St. Peter and encourages communicators to “disarm communication” by using gentleness and sharing hope rather than aggression. In the Archdiocese and beyond, the Social Communications Apostolate (SoCCom) responds to this mission working quietly yet powerfully to evangelize not only through speech, print and broadcast but through the screens, feeds, and networks that shape daily life.

At the archdiocesan level, the Archdiocesan Commission on Social Communications leads with vision, formation, and coordination. SoCComs actively contribute to evangelization, from writing and sending articles for the Davao Catholic Herald Newspaper, co-anchoring in the different live coverages and even in radio programs such as KASIKAS at the DXGN 89.9 Spirit FM – Davao Radio Station to training parish volunteers, the commission continues to strengthen the Church’s presence in media while upholding its values of truth, service, and communion.

The SoCCom apostolate that was established last 2014, is not confined to covering major Archdiocesan events and in the radio and newspaper. Across the 8 vicariates of the Archdiocese, down to the parishes and GKKs, lay volunteers are making a quiet impact. With smartphones in hand, they document parish celebrations, produce short reflection videos, send voiced reports and updates via Messenger, manage Facebook pages, and share daily readings and pastoral messages. These simple acts have become powerful means of digital catechesis and connection.

Evangelization through social media is not just about producing content but it is about forming communicators who are grounded in faith and guided by responsibility. The Church ensures this through workshops and ongoing accompaniment. Ethical storytelling, digital discipleship, and proper media conduct are emphasized, forming a new generation of media missionaries who evangelize with compassion and integrity.

Mrs. Theresa Lelis, Archdiocesan SoCCom In-charge said that the digital era today is an advantage in the mission of evangelization, especially that it is more accessible and it reaches a wider audience than before. She also said that the ministry itself is growing, wherein SoCComs from different parishes are active and dedicated. The SoCCom Ministry is indeed “TATAK DAVAO” especially in the Davao, Digos, Tagum & Mati (DADITAMA) sub-region.

The World Communications Sunday is more than a celebration of technology but it is also a reminder that the Church is present and active in all areas of life, including digital spaces. The timing with the Ascension of the Lord underscores this truth: even as Christ ascended, He entrusted His followers with a mission that reaches the ends of the earth, now including the virtual world.

Hope, after all, is not just something we express but it is something we carry. And when shared gently, it becomes contagious. It moves hearts more powerfully than any trending hashtag or viral debate. This theme reminds us that true evangelization begins not with a microphone or a megaphone, but with a heart rooted in Christ one that listens, loves, and lifts others, especially in the digital world where so many are silently searching. (Allyza Hope J. Tabigue)