Lenten Campaign 2025
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Catholics in the Diocese of Arlington are asked to put down their phones and other devices for the second-annual “Diocesan Day of Unplugging” to be held on the fourth Friday of Lent, March 28, 2025, (this coming Friday).
Electronic devices, said the website for the diocese, “can become a distraction, or even an addiction.”
The Diocese of Arlington is located in northern Virginia. There are about 440,000 Catholics out of a total population of 3.3 million.
Surveys have shown that people spend, on average, more than two hours daily on social media platforms, and “one third of teens think they spend too much time on these platforms,” said the diocese.
“These survey results beg the questions: Are we spending more time with our devices than with God? And are we investing more time on social media than on nurturing in-person relationships within our communities?”
Lent, said the diocese, can “be a time where we take these questions to prayer.”
The traditional pillars of Lent are prayer, fasting, and almsgiving – and the “Diocesan Day of Unplugging” can be a way to embrace all three, according to the diocese.
“‘Unplugging’ means disconnecting from devices with screens, including phones, laptops/computers, tablets, and TVs intentionally. It also includes fasting from – limiting use of – all forms of digital media consumption including social media, streaming platforms, texting/messaging, and even listening to podcasts,” the diocese said.
“In the same way one would fast from food, limiting intake of certain foods at certain times, try using devices only for what is absolutely essential,” added the Diocese of Arlington.
Join in
To join in the Diocesan Day of Unplugging, a person should first “pray to discern your level of participation.”
“Ask God to help you decide how much you can and should dedicate time offline and reinvest with him in mind,” said the diocese.
After this discernment, a person should then plan how they will spend their newly freed-up offline time with works of charity or in prayer.
Due to the nature of work, school, or other things, a person may not be able to fully ‘unplug’ for a full day, acknowledged the Diocese.
“That’s OK! You are not alone. Your responsibilities with family, work, or school come first,” said the website. “If you are unable to fully unplug for the day, discern when you might be able to intentionally fast during time you would otherwise spend on your phone or in front of another screen.”
After the day has ended, there are still opportunities for prayer and reflection.
“After the Day of Unplugging, be sure to converse with Jesus on the experience,” said the Diocese of Arlington.
And today we celebrate...