A Catholic Reflection on Technology and Faith

His truth, His beauty, His goodness: A Catholic Reflection on Technology and Faith in the Digital Age

Type “Catholic, creativity, technology” into your Google search bar. You’ll find countless references to Blessed Carlo Acutis (soon to be canonized in April), the millennial teenager who sharpened a love for computer programming into his spiritual weapon of choice (check it out for yourself). 

But this isn’t just the most recent buzz in the Catholic Church—we Catholics have long celebrated creativity as a means of glorifying the mysteries of God, from the architecture of Notre Dame to the poetic theology of St. John of the Cross to the stained-glass windows of Chartres Cathedral. And at the heart of it all is God’s Word—the Bible itself.

Being creative isn’t just a pastime. Take it from Carlo—It’s a calling.

The reality, however, is that our world is drowning in creativity-zapping technology. AI-generated art, deepfakes, streams of content to doom-scroll through, or the barrage of memes flooding our Instagram DMs make it relatively hard to distinguish what’s real from what isn’t. 

How can we possibly stay grounded in a world so heavily saturated? How do we, like Carlo, use our creativity without losing sight of His truth, beauty, and goodness?

Creativity as a Reflection of God’s Image

Let’s start at the source: God is the Creator. Genesis 1:1 tells us that “[in] the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” 

Your creative ability—whether that be a delicate brushstroke, a sweet melody, a line of code, or a witty script—reflects the very nature of the Lord of the Universe.

St. John Paul II beautifully expressed this truth in his Letter to Artists: 

None can sense more deeply than you artists, ingenious creators of beauty that you are, something of the pathos with which God at the dawn of creation looked upon the work of his hands.

What exactly does this mean for us creators? It means we have a unique vocation. We have a job to do.

This special job isn’t about making something visually or audibly appealing for everyone else, though that never hurts. It’s about revealing the mysteries of our God. It’s about communicating His truth, His beauty, His goodness.

Consider the example of some fellow creatives:

• St. Paulinus of Nola: A bishop and correspondent of St. Augustine and St. Jerome, Paulinus once noted, “To my mind, the only art is the faith, and Christ is my poetry.”
• St. Catherine of Bologna: Catherine dabbled in a variety of creative pursuits, like writing, poetry, and dance. But her true passion was found in painting. Today, she’s the patron saint of painters and those struggling with doubt.
• St. Therese of Lisieux: The Little Flower is no one-trick saint—she was also a gifted poet and playwright, producing and starring in her own plays. 

If we are made in the image of God (and we are), then creativity is hard-wired into us. If that’s the case (and it is), in this high-tech reality we are called to reflect our divine co-creativity in the way we engage with technology. After all, “He must increase, [and we] must decrease” (John 3:30).

Beauty as a Path to God

St. Thomas Aquinas argued that beauty is one of the transcendentals, along with truth and goodness. This means that genuine, beautiful art—whether in the form of paintings, novels, or well-crafted websites—can guide souls towards Christ.

The Church has always understood this. Look at the facts: She commissioned Michelangelo, Bernini, and countless other artists to make the invisible mysteries of faith visible.

Pope Benedict XVI put it bluntly: “Art and the saints are the greatest apologetics for our faith.” Why? Because art has the power to evangelize where words fall short. Rather than uplifting the ego or the individual, it points us beyond ourselves to something greater.

Why Authentic Creativity Matters

In our digital age, people of faith find themselves navigating a complex landscape of distraction after distraction. We live in an era of content overload. The internet is cluttered with voices, many of which are neither good, true, nor beautiful.

This begs the question—how can Catholic creatives rise above the noise?

St. Teresa of Avila gives us a clue: 

Christ has no body now on earth but yours … Yours are the hands with which he blesses all the world.

This reminder emphasizes that our creative efforts, whether in graphic design, writing, music composition, software development, or beyond—should serve as vessels for evangelization. 

The world is hungry for the beauty of faith. Catholic creatives can illuminate it.

So, before hitting publish, ask:

• Does this glorify God?
• Does this lead others to Him?

Navigating Content Overload: 5 Tips for Catholic Creatives to Maintain Authenticity

A. Set Boundaries

Many of us know well that distraction is an enemy of creativity and our walk with the Lord. Pope Benedict XVI urged “silence and contemplation” in our noisy world—so create that space for yourself. Dedicate time for offline creativity, daily prayer, and real-world engagement. Again, take it from Carlo—as much as he loved to play his PlayStation, he limited gaming to only an hour per week. 

B. Seek Inspiration in Jesus

St. Hildegard of Bingen, a composer, writer, and mystic, rooted her creative works in deep prayer and private one-on-one time with Jesus. Make time for Eucharistic Adoration, Reconciliation, and the Sacraments. The Lord is your source and your summit. He has everything you need.

C. Grow in Craft and Faith

To make your art a reflection of your faith, you’ll need to refine both. Read scripture, study theology, take an online course in your field, attend a webinar, go on a day retreat, or find a spiritual mentor. Growth in one will fuel the other—make the effort, and your creativity will flourish with purpose.

D. Embrace Community

Even the saints didn’t walk alone. Pope Francis reminds us that holiness isn’t perfection but a life rooted in love and service. Surround yourself with like-minded Catholic creatives who will keep you accountable, inspired, and grounded in your mission.

E. Practice Gratitude

Gratitude isn’t a cliché; it’s a necessity. Shift your focus from scarcity to abundance by reflecting on daily blessings, big or small. Your work doesn’t have to be a struggle for perfection—the only perfect thing in this life is God. As St. Josemaria Excriva says:

Get used to lifting your heart to God, in acts of thanksgiving, many times a day. Because he gives you this and that; because you have been despised; because you haven’t what you need or because you have. Thank him for everything, because everything is good.

Answering the Call to Create

Creativity is a mission.

It is up to YOU to share the unique message God has placed in your heart through your art.

The Church needs passionate Catholic artists, writers, musicians, filmmakers, designers, and innovators who will use their God-given talents to draw people closer to Christ. Don’t set aside your brushes, pens, or keyboards—pick them up and get creating!

St. John Paul II put it best: 

The Church needs art. Art must make perceptible, and as far as possible attractive, the world of the spirit, of the invisible, of God.

Here’s your challenge: Reflect and pray on ways you can use your talents to build up the Kingdom. How can you, like Carlo, embrace technology to not just create, but to reveal goodness, truth, and beauty?

Let’s answer the call boldly! True creativity in this digital age isn’t just about following trends or using the latest tech-savvy tools—it’s about channeling your gifts for good. It’s about giving God the glory, forever and ever, amen. 

Lord, let my creativity always reflect Your beauty, Your goodness, and Your truth.

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