The first session, led by Shri Derek O'Brien, a Member of Parliament from West Bengal, addressed the theme "Understanding the Digital Landscape: Opportunities and Challenges for Priests and Religious." O'Brien urged clergy and religious leaders to embrace digital tools while staying true to their mission and authenticity.

As digital media increasingly shapes how individuals connect and with God, he highlighted the critical importance of understanding the target audience and the necessity of tailoring digital content. Thus, engage authentically with them.

In a world saturated with distractions and superficial interactions, O'Brien challenged the participants to leverage digital tools to foster deep, meaningful communication and cultivate genuine relationships with offline and online audiences.

The second session of Illuminaire featured Dr. Natasa Govekar, a distinguished representative from the Vatican's Dicastery for Communication and director of its Theological Pastoral Department. In her insightful presentation on the Magisterial Approach and Guidelines for Digital Ministry, she invited participants to integrate the values of faith and communion into the digital realm, offering a vital framework for those engaged in digital ministry today.

Dr. Govekar emphasized the importance of understanding the destination and ultimate purpose of the messages. She articulated that, in the Christian faith, communication transcends mere word exchange. It fosters unity and brotherhood, drawing inspiration from the eternal relationship between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. She referenced Communio et Progressio, a key Church document that identifies the Trinity as the perfect model for communication. According to Dr. Govekar, communication is about more than just sharing ideas. It's about giving oneself in love. She emphasized that communication should not seek personal recognition but should aim to bring light into the world.

Sr. Joeyanna D'Souza, FSP, a Social Media Ethics Specialist from Mumbai, shared another session on Social Media and the Mission of Consecrated Life. Drawing inspiration from the Church's great media apostles, like Blessed James Alberione, who pioneered the media apostolate, and Popes Paul VI, John Paul II, and Francis, Sr. D'Souza emphasized the need for consecrated persons to embrace digital media as a new mission field for evangelization.

In today's digital age, social media is not just a tool for personal connection but a powerful means of spreading the Gospel, she explained. These gadgets, often seen as sources of distraction, can be repurposed for the mission of the Church. With their vast reach, social media platforms allow consecrated persons to witness Christ offline and online, sharing faith, hope, and love with the world. Sr. D'Souza encouraged the audience to see these platforms as modern tools for evangelization, as the Church calls us to use new technologies to fulfill the mission of spreading the Good News.

In her practical tips for using social media effectively, Sr. D'Souza urged focusing on quality over quantity in content creation. She encouraged individuals to prioritize community goals rather than personal recognition, share uplifting content that inspires and motivates others, and maintain a balanced online presence.

A renowned human rights activist and writer, Father Cedric Prakash SJ, addressed the gathering on Nurturing Digital Discernment for Church Leaders. Highlighting the socio-political challenges of our times, including abuses, persecution, and ethnic wars, he called upon Church leaders to examine their fears, asking, "What are we afraid of?" Drawing inspiration from Christ, born in the humble stable of Bethlehem, the Lord of the poor and the marginalized, he challenged everyone to face the realities and work for those in need.

Father Prakash introduced the "4Fs" of discernment in the digital age: Funda (foundations), Fear, Filter, and Fact. These principles guide individuals to question what they encounter online - Is it true? Is it necessary? Is it important? By rigorously applying these filters, Church leaders can rise above misinformation and embrace genuine discernment. Highlighting the pervasive issue of 'fundafication,' or the repetition of lies until they seem authentic, Father Prakash urged the Church to counter this with the power of truth. He evoked the principles of Mahatma Gandhi, particularly the concept of Satyagraha, the power of truth, and its ability to challenge untruths and lies. Fr. Prakash reminded the audience of Rabindranath Tagore's poetic vision in Gitanjali: "Into that heaven of freedom, my Father, let my country awake." This vision of a truthful and just society aligns with the mission of nurturing digital discernment, where truth can flourish amidst the half-truths, untruths, and lies prevalent in today's digital landscape.

According to Father Prakash, digital discernment is not just a skill but a paradigm shift. It is a call to recognize that God is always with us, even in a world clouded by misinformation. By nurturing discernment in the digital realm, Church leaders can guide their communities toward the truth and empower them to embrace Christ's message: "I am the way, the truth, and the life."

Ms. Purva Jain, a Digital Evangelist and Tech Entrepreneur, captivated the audience with her insightful presentation on Digital Ministry and Outreach in the Age of AI. She began with a provocative question: "Have we asked Google, 'Who is God?'" Drawing attention to the intersection of faith and technology, Ms. Jain emphasized that Jesus is not merely one among many gods, but the Only God and He is not just a way, a truth, and a life, but the way, the truth, and the life.

Exploring the search for meaning in the digital age, Ms. Purva referred to Philip's example in Acts 8:29, where the Spirit instructed him to stay near the chariot, symbolizing the need for proximity to people in their spiritual journey. She highlighted how the digital space, like Philip's mission, allows the Church to stay close to individuals searching for truth and guidance.

In her discourse, Ms. Purva reflected on integrating the sacred and the digital, underscoring Hebrews 7:17 to remind us of the irreplaceable role of human presence in ministry. "AI," she stated, "can't listen to confessions or give absolution. AI might take over Martha's role, allowing us to be more like Mary, but it can never replace us because we are God's creation."

Touching on the current reality in India, Ms. Purva presented compelling statistics: 28 million Christians and 536 million WhatsApp users. She urged participants to bridge this gap and reach out to those far through the available tools.

Offering practical advice, she encouraged priests to record their daily homilies on their phones and upload them to blogs, thus making their reflections accessible to a broader audience. Sisters, she suggested, could use their prayer time to jot down insights in a notebook and share these inspirations online, creating ripples of faith in the digital ocean.

Associate Professor of Psychology and Principal of the Indian Institute of Psychology and Research (IIPR) Bangalore, Dr. Elizabeth Jasmine, spoke on Digital Wellness and Resilience. Jasmine said, "Well-being depends on physical, mental, emotional, and social Well-being. Well-being is a state where human needs are met, one can act meaningfully to pursue one's goals, and one enjoys a satisfactory quality of life."

Digital wellness, also known as digital Well-being or digital health, is the practice of using digital devices in a healthy and balanced way. Managing screen time, Jasmine said, "Make sure you have a healthy balance between your online and offline activities." Jasmine explained digital resilience: "Digital resilience can refer to the ability of an individual, organization, or information system to adapt to, withstand, and recover from digital challenges." The 7 Cs of Resilience include Competence, Confidence, Connection, Character, Contribution, and Control.

A dynamic panel discussion led by Father Raj Kumar Fernando, SDB, a Media Psychologist, alongside four college students, shed light on the Challenges and Opportunities of Engaging with the Alpha Generation and Generation Z in the Church's Mission. Both generations, unique in their traits, pose new challenges for the Church, emphasizing the need for tailored approaches to bridge the gap and foster meaningful connections.

Father Raj Kumar Fernando described the Alpha Generation (born 2010 onwards) as highly stressed, self-informed, and often disengaged from traditional mentorship. Unlike Generation Z (born 1990–2010), who value connection but grew up adapting to technology, the Alpha Generation is entirely digital-native. They are not actively looking to older generations for information, preferring to explore and validate ideas independently. This "cringy generation" values authenticity but struggles with relational connection due to digital overexposure. Father Fernando emphasized the importance of accompanying them meaningfully rather than merely including them, as the absence of mentorship and relational dynamics in both family and Church has created significant gaps.Miss Merlin Mary, an undergraduate student, highlighted the differences and challenges between the two generations, particularly the lack of family involvement for the Alpha Generation compared to Gen Z, who often experienced more excellent family connectivity. Merlin stressed the need for creative catechism classes, mentorship from parents, and vibing with their music to bridge generational divides and foster understanding.

Ferdinand Samuel Paul discussed moral relativism and the misinterpretation of Church teachings that both generations face. However, he noted that Alpha Gen is more exposed to diverse beliefs and global crises, such as injustice and wars, which make them highly aware and sensitive to suffering. Both generations struggle with digital distractions but differ in their responses; Gen Z tends to use digital media for connection, while Alpha Gen often immerses themselves to cope with stress. Samuel urged the Church to present its teachings creatively and suggested that priests, sisters, and families act as role models.

Maria Sharon Roy explored the evolving relationship between Gen Z and Alpha Gen. While Gen Z values digital engagement with a more balanced approach, Alpha Gen has a much shorter attention span (approximately 8 minutes) and faces more significant challenges with focus. Roy highlighted the role of media in empowering both generations, primarily by promoting positive and faith-based messages and addressing issues like digital addiction that hinder their growth.

Alex Rosario focused on the positive attributes shared by both generations, such as their digital literacy, multitasking abilities, social awareness, and resilience post-COVID-19. He pointed out that while Generation Z adapted to a world transitioning to digital, Alpha Gen thrives as digital natives, absorbing information and learning faster. Quoting Albert Einstein, Rosario reminded the audience that accurate intelligence lies in imagination, not just information. He encouraged creating opportunities for the Alpha Generation to contribute creatively, fostering their sense of belonging. Rosario suggested guiding both generations to use screen time constructively and to draw them into faith-based content with innovative methods.

The discussion concluded with a consensus that Alpha Gen and Gen Z represent challenges and opportunities for the Church. While their digital habits and distinct generational characteristics require nuanced engagement, their adaptability, creativity, and social awareness make them vital participants in the Church's mission.