Digital Evangelization in Campus Ministry: Insights from the Vatican's Jubilee for Digital Missionaries
by Rosie Chinea Shawver, MDiv
As the digital world continues to shape the lives of students and young adults, the Vatican recently held a historic event that underscores the importance of evangelizing in the online space. The Jubilee for Digital Missionaries, held in Rome on July 28 - 29, 2025, brought together Catholic influencers and digital missionaries from across the globe, with a particular focus on those evangelizing through social media and digital platforms. For campus ministers, this event offers invaluable insights into how we can harness the power of the digital age for the new evangelization on college campuses.
A New Mission Field: Digital Missionaries and College Students
In recent years, college campuses have become hubs for digital engagement, with students spending significant time online, whether through social media, apps, or streaming platforms. The Jubilee for Digital Missionaries was a call for the Church to recognize this as a mission field in its own right. It was a recognition that the digital world - often characterized by division and isolation - can also be a place for authentic connection and evangelization.
As campus ministers, we are tasked with reaching young adults where they are, and more than ever, this means meeting them online. Digital evangelization is not a replacement for in - person ministry but an essential complement, helping to bridge the gap between students' physical and digital lives.
The Role of Digital Missionaries in Campus Ministry
One of the key takeaways from the Vatican event was the power of digital missionaries to foster community and build relationships in the online space. Digital missionaries - many of whom are active on platforms like Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok - have become influential voices for young Catholics. Their work isn’t limited to traditional forms of outreach but includes engaging in conversations on faith, spirituality, mental health, and social justice, all within the context of the digital world.
For campus ministers, this underscores the need to integrate digital tools into our ministry. Students are increasingly seeking spiritual guidance and community online, especially when they are away from home or dealing with personal struggles. Digital platforms offer a powerful opportunity for campus ministers to create a virtual presence that supports students' spiritual growth, fosters peer - to - peer ministry, and facilitates moments of connection even when students can’t be physically present on campus.
Workshops and Key Insights from the Vatican Jubilee
The Jubilee event included several workshops and reflections that are particularly relevant for those involved in campus ministry:
Leveraging Social Media for Evangelization: One session emphasized the importance of using social media not just to broadcast information, but to engage in genuine conversations. Digital missionaries shared insights into creating interactive content that invites students into dialogue about faith and life. As campus ministers, we can learn from these models and think about how to use social media platforms to invite questions, offer reflections, and foster discussions about God, justice, and personal growth.
Building Authentic Community: Despite the digital world’s potential for fragmentation, the Vatican highlighted how it can also serve as a space for authentic encounter. Students, especially those navigating mental health challenges, are often more open to connecting online. The Jubilee participants shared stories of how they’ve used their platforms to build supportive online communities. Campus ministers can take inspiration from this by offering online prayer groups, virtual retreats, or livestreamed Masses, creating spaces where students can connect spiritually beyond traditional campus events.
Spreading Messages of Hope: Another theme was the importance of hope and healing in the digital space. In a time when young people face an unprecedented amount of stress, anxiety, and isolation, campus ministers are called to offer messages of hope and encouragement through their digital platforms. Whether through daily posts, encouraging messages, or resources for prayer and reflection, we can serve as a light in the darkness for students grappling with uncertainty.
The Power of Prayer and Presence in the Digital Space
Pope Leo XIV, in his address to the digital missionaries, emphasized that the primary role of digital evangelists is to create spaces for authentic human connections. This means sharing the love of God and fostering an environment where students feel heard, seen, and understood. As campus ministers, we are reminded that digital platforms should not just be tools for transmitting information, but for building relationships - relationships that are rooted in the love and presence of Christ.
Just as the Vatican event included moments of prayer and reflection, campus ministers can integrate spiritual practices into their online outreach. Whether it’s through sharing reflections, hosting live - streamed Masses, or creating prayerful spaces on social media, we can help students connect their faith to their digital lives.
Consecration to Mary: A Model for Our Digital Mission
The Jubilee concluded with a consecration of the digital mission to Mary, who was described as the first "influencer of God." In this act, the digital missionaries committed themselves and their online work to Mary, recognizing her as a model of humility and service. For campus ministers, this offers a beautiful invitation to dedicate our digital ministry to Mary’s intercession, trusting in her guidance as we seek to evangelize in new and creative ways. As we move forward with our own digital ministries on campus, we can take a page from this consecration, praying for wisdom and discernment as we use digital tools to foster encounters with Christ.
Priests Leading the Way in Digital Evangelization
Several priests have embraced the digital space, serving as models for how ministry can flourish in the online world. Fr. Mike Schmitz, director of campus ministry in Duluth, MN, known for his inspiring homilies and his work with Ascension Presents, has built an enormous online presence, reaching millions with his relatable and accessible content on faith. His YouTube channel has become a go - to source for students seeking spiritual guidance in a format they can easily engage with.
Fr. Matthew Wheeler, pastor at the USC Caruso Catholic Center, another digital missionary, uses his platform to engage young Catholics with a blend of humor and deep faith. His presence on platforms like Instagram and YouTube provides students with an authentic, approachable way to explore their faith in the digital world.
Lastly, Fr. Raphael Capo, former campus minister in Florida, through his initiatives on social media, has worked tirelessly to bring Catholic teachings into the online world, particularly with young adults. His passion for building relationships and fostering conversations around faith has made him a strong digital presence, particularly among students looking to deepen their connection with the Church.
These priests show us that digital evangelization is not only for laypeople or influencers but also for clergy who can creatively bring their ministry to the online space. As campus ministers, we can draw inspiration from their work, recognizing that we too can be "influencers" for the Gospel through our own digital presence.
The Future of Digital Evangelization on College Campuses
The Vatican's Jubilee for Digital Missionaries is a clear signal that the Church is embracing the digital mission as an integral part of its outreach. For campus ministers, this means reimagining how we use digital tools to reach students where they are. It means creating authentic connections, inviting conversations about faith, and offering spiritual support in both virtual and in - person settings.
By drawing inspiration from this global movement and priests who have been successful in the digital realm, we can continue to meet the needs of students on campus and create a Church that is truly present in every corner of the digital world. As we move forward, let us be bold in our commitment to digital evangelization - an evangelization that is rooted in authenticity, prayer, and the message of hope.