Fr. Juan Carlos Arias, LC is becoming a influencer highlighted in the social network Instagram with more than 86,000 followers on his account. His presence on social networks is very active, posting content about the Catholic faith, reflections on daily life, messages of hope and love, and also sharing moments of his personal life.
Juan Carlos is known for his approachable and simple style, which makes him accessible to his audience and manages to generate a special connection with them. Through his publications, Father Juan Carlos seeks to reach a young and modern audience, who are looking for spiritual answers in an increasingly digitalized world.
Who is Fr. Juan Carlos Arias, LC?
I was born in El Salvador, I am 32 years old, and I was ordained a priest in the Congregation of Legionaries of Christ March 19, 2021 so I have a little more than two years of ordination. The initiative to dabble in social media started for me in 2021, just a few months before I was ordained.
How did you decide to dive into the world of social networks 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 had practically no interaction with people. I arrived to a new place without knowing anyone and I could not meet anyone because the school was closed, the Regnum Christi sections had no activities. It was a time of fear for Covid, so, and with that impetus of someone coming out of a formation center, I began to explore other possibilities and a very concrete means was the social networks. Adolfo Güémez, LC who is in this house in Aguascalientes, motivated me. He helped me and directed me in the first steps. Then, it was more the desire to share the message of the Gospel and not being able to do it in a traditional way but in a digital way. Thank God, the response of the people was very good, a very positive response until today, which has helped me to continue walking in this field. Without the people's response I simply would not have continued.
Some time ago, there was resistance on the part of priests to use social networks, considering them a waste of time, a distraction. What do you think about this?
It may be true. Definitely social networks can be a very big distraction, especially for the life of a priest; but we cannot ignore social networks knowing that, today it is part of the life of people, of young people today and of adults as well. Using them well and above all with the help of people who can advise you, accompany you and help you to manage well your evangelizing work in the social networks, I think it is very positive. And one has to be honest with oneself: what are you looking for in the social networks, how much time do you dedicate to them? And why are you on social networks?
Today, teenagers, young people and adults spend many hours on social networks. Don't you think that the Church is still too slow in exploring the potential and reach of social networks?
The Church has taken steps to advance in this and yes, we are lagging behind, but not only in social networks but in the digital issue in general. The sacramental formation could take an extraordinary advantage if time and resources are dedicated to online formation, and also the whole issue of the processes, for example, that in all the parishes we could have the acts of baptism, confirmation and first communion, etc..., that we could have everything digitally. In some places it is available, but not everywhere. We must be encouraged, but we must also be attentive to where the Holy Spirit is leading us. If I experience that the Holy Spirit invites me to enter the digital world, we should not be afraid of this. It is a matter of approaching young people and people in general through this digital language in which they are speaking today.
How does the public that follows you on social networks respond? What do they ask the most questions or what concerns do they have?
My experience in all this time has been very positive. They ask me a lot about my vocation, how this vocation started and how I made the decision. They ask me for prayers and they ask me a lot about how to understand God in the circumstances of their lives, how to listen to Him in prayer, how to understand Him. And this is where I take the opportunity to bring the message of the Gospel.
In a brushstroke:
-Favorite quote from the Gospel: «Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends» (Jn 15, 13)
-Favorite food: the chilaquiles
-Mexico is: huge!
-My priesthood is: A gift
-Last movie you saw: the documentary “Amen. Pope Francis responds”.”
-Pope Francis is: An example, a Pastor, someone very tender.
Juan Carlos Arias, LC can be followed on Instagram at. this link.
