St. Anthony @ Your Side

Dear friend,

St. Anthony was an extraordinary communicator. Through his preaching, he spoke not only to people’s ears, but also to their hearts. His words were filled with clarity, conviction, and compassion – qualities that would make him a natural presence on today’s social media platforms. I have no doubt he would embrace these modern tools with the same fervor he showed in the 13th century, using them to sow the seeds of the Gospel far and wide.

To a small extent, I have tried to follow that example. For almost twelve years, I have used Twitter – now known as X (see link above) – to connect with devotees of St. Anthony around the world. Over time, a meaningful community has taken shape, united by a daily spiritual thought and the assurance of being remembered in my prayers at the Saint’s tomb and during the celebration of Holy Mass.

Of course, this is only one part of what I do. However, the experience has made me wonder: If St. Anthony were alive today, which social media platform would he use – and what kind of content would he share? I know – it’s hard to say for certain. But with his help, perhaps I’ll find some answers. At the very least, I’ll have tried.

Let’s start with the most obvious one: YouTube. Anthony was a preacher – bold and tireless. He spoke in churches, public squares, and even fields, proclaiming the Word of God to thousands. His voice was clear, his message powerful. He could draw crowds so large that churches were too small to contain them. YouTube would have suited him well. Short reflections, longer homilies, perhaps a series of ‘Sermons for the Soul’. And yes, I think he’d even engage with the comment section – always gently, always wisely.

Then there’s Instagram. Though not known for its words, Instagram thrives on beauty – and Anthony knew how to speak of beauty: the beauty of creation, of divine love, of the Gospel. He might have shared images of nature as metaphors for grace, or quiet glimpses of everyday holiness: a child at prayer, a loaf of bread shared, a candle burning in a dark chapel. His captions would be few, but full of light.

X (Twitter)? Absolutely. Short, sharp, spirit-filled phrases. He was a master of the memorable line. Think of his own words: “Attribute to God every good that you have received.” Just the kind of quote that gets shared, saved, and remembered.

Would he be on TikTok? Perhaps – if it helped reach the younger generations. A saint isn’t afraid of new languages if they speak to the soul. I imagine him using humor and storytelling, maybe even collaborating with other modern-day digital missionaries to bring the Gospel to unexpected places.

But regardless of platform, one thing is certain: St. Anthony would use every means available not to draw attention to himself, but to Christ. His content would be rooted in Scripture, filled with compassion for the poor, and aimed at healing the wounded hearts of our time.

Social media can often feel noisy, chaotic, even divisive. But I like to think St. Anthony would cut through the noise with humility and truth. He wouldn’t chase likes – he would offer light. And in doing so, he would remind us that even through the most modern of tools, the timeless message of the Gospel still finds its way to hearts ready to listen.

You know, my friend, perhaps we are all called, in our own way, to be digital missionaries – to be present where people are searching. And perhaps that is also where St. Anthony would be: not just talking, but truly reaching out, sharing his message of hope and healing through today’s screens – and hearts.

I wish you a happy and grace-filled feast of St. Anthony. May his intercession bring you peace, joy, and many blessings.