The Catholic faith, reflections on everyday life, messages of hope and love, and also moments from his personal life, the axes of his digital work

Father Juan Carlos Arias, LC is becoming a notable influencer on the social network Instagram with more than 86,000 followers on his account. His presence on social media is very active, publishing content about the Catholic faith, reflections on everyday life, messages of hope and love, and also sharing moments from his personal life.

Father Juan Carlos is known for his approachable and simple style, which makes him accessible to his audience and helps create a special connection with them. Through his posts, the priest seeks to reach a young and modern audience, who look for spiritual answers in an increasingly digitalized world.

Who is Father Juan Carlos Arias, LC?

I was born in El Salvador, I am 32 years old, I was ordained a priest in the Congregation of the Legionaries of Christ on March 19, 2021, so I have just over two years of being ordained. My initiative to venture into social media started in 2021, just a few months before my ordination.

How did you decide to immerse yourself in the world of social media, and what has been the response from people?

It all started because we were in the middle of the pandemic. I arrived in Aguascalientes (Mexico) and we practically had no interaction with people. I arrived in a new place without knowing anyone, and I couldn’t meet anyone because the school was closed, the sections of Regnum Christi had no activities. It was a time of fear due to Covid, so, with the enthusiasm of someone coming out of formation, I began to explore other possibilities, and social media was a very concrete means. Father Adolfo Güémez, LC, who is at this house in Aguascalientes, motivated me. He helped and guided me in the initial steps. So, it was more about the desire to share the message of the Gospel and not being able to do it in a traditional way, but rather digitally. Thanks to God, the response from people was very good, very positive up to today, which has helped me continue walking in this field. Without people’s response, I simply wouldn’t have continued.

In the past, there was resistance from priests to use social media, considering it a waste of time, a distraction. What is your opinion on this?

That might be true. Definitely, social media can be a very big distraction, especially for a priest’s life; but we also cannot ignore social media, knowing that today it is part of people’s lives, of today’s youth and adults as well. When used properly and especially with the help of people who can advise, accompany, and help you manage your evangelizing work on social media, I believe it is very positive. And one must be honest with oneself: what are you seeking on social media? How much time do you dedicate to it? And why are you on social media?

Today, teenagers, young people, and adults spend many hours on social media. Don’t you think the Church is moving very slowly in exploring the potential and reach of social media?

The Church has taken steps to advance in this area, and yes, we are falling behind, but not only in social media, also in the digital realm in general. Sacramental formation could benefit greatly if time and resources are dedicated to online training, and also all the processes, for example, that in all parishes could have access to baptism, confirmation, and first communion records, etc., all digital. Some places have it, but not everywhere. We need to be encouraged, but also attentive to where the Holy Spirit is leading us. If I experience that the Holy Spirit is inviting me to enter the digital world, then there’s no need to fear it. It’s about reaching out to young people and people in general through this digital language they are speaking today.

How does the audience that follows you on social media respond? What do they ask most or what concerns do they have?

My experience over all this time has been very positive. They ask me a lot about my vocation, how it all started, and how I made the decision. They ask for prayers and inquire a lot about how to understand God in their circumstances, how to listen to Him in prayer, how to understand Him. And here is where I take the opportunity to share the message of the Gospel.

In a nutshell:

-Favorite Gospel quote: “No one has greater love than the one who lays down his life for his friends” (Jn 15:13)

-Favorite food: chilaquiles

-Mexico is: enormous!

-My priesthood is: a gift

-Last movie I saw: the documentary “Amen. Pope Francis Responds”

-Pope Francis is: an example, a shepherd, very tender.

You can follow Father Juan Carlos Arias, LC on Instagram at this link.