The diocesan push to unplug during Lent is not only back for a third year— it now spans three days.
The initiative encourages people to fast from excess screen time in some capacity in order to recharge spiritually, whether quietly in prayer or in service to others.
This year, the Diocesan Days of Unplugging will be March 13-15. Writing in the Feb. 19 issue of the Catholic Herald, Bishop Michael F. Burbidge cited unplugging as a key Lenten practice for growth in holiness, hoping that expanding the initiative to three days will give individuals and families more opportunity to be intentional about disconnecting from devices to reconnect with the Lord and one another.
He joins other bishops around the world sounding the alarm, including most recently the Catholic bishops’ conference of the Philippines, on this need to extend fasting practices to digital media.
In the “Walk Humbly” podcast, episode 151 last year, Bishop Burbidge shared several reasons why unplugging is necessary for Catholics. When we “unplug” from digital distractions, we:
Exercise virtue. “Fasting from this kind of constant use of technologies really practices the virtue of temperance, moderation and also vigilance,” he said. “We have to be very careful of how the space and this constant distraction can take us away from what truly matters.”
Create space. Bishop Burbidge encourages people to not be afraid of missing out when we unplug from the digital world. “There’s not going to be a void,” he shared. “God will enter into that space.”
Participate together. “Let’s do this as a diocesan family,” he said. “Let’s know that we’re not alone, we’re doing this together, supporting each other — because it’s not easy.”
Here are three steps to get you started.
- Pray. In advance of the Days of Unplugging, first ask the Holy Spirit to inspire you with how you should spend the time offline. Take to prayer and ask, “Lord, how are you inviting me to enter your presence?”
- Plan. Once you have prayed and discerned how God might be calling you to spend time off-screen, determine what you are going to do. Will you attend Mass outside of your Sunday obligation? Read Scripture? Can you leave your phone behind to have a fully present meal — perhaps at a local parish fish fry — with members of your community? Or perhaps spend quiet time adoring the Lord in eucharistic adoration?
- Pledge to act. Levels include committing to unplug for at least: An hour, morning, afternoon or evening, or one full day.
An act of unplugging is only effective insofar as we are intentional about what we are plugging into instead. Let’s be sure to plug back into what matters. Make the time count — give it to God!
Find out more
For more info and to take the unplugging pledge, go to arlingtondiocese.org/unplug.
