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(Editor's note: Mrs. Szpylczyn spent six weeks from September to October walking the Camino de Santiago, the Way of St. James, 500 miles from France to Santiago de Compostela, Spain. She wrote this column in response to a column in The Evangelist's Dec. 1 issue by Robin Bunnell on being "technologically disabled.")

Arriving at the Cathedral plaza in Santiago, Spain, was deeply emotional. After making the Camino de Santiago, we had reached our destination.

Already teary-eyed, I heard someone say "Fran? It's Cristina!" Now sobbing, I collapsed into this woman's welcoming arms. Real presence!

I'm an avid user of social media. A significant portion of what I post is Catholic-related. Cristina was, until that moment, someone I barely "knew" via church friends and Facebook.

When I began my pilgrimage, I'd hoped to be Facebook-free, but I had decided to post a photo album once a day, so I did sign on sparingly. Cristina reached out to me that way, offering assistance and welcome, because she lives near Santiago.

I had no idea what Cristina looked like, because she had not posted a photo. Messaging her, I said that we would likely arrive at a certain time and day. Leaving it in God's hands, I was not sure how or even if we would connect. Of course, we did meet, and I am deeply grateful.

Robin Bunnell recently wrote a column in The Evangelist about being technology-free, and it got me thinking. I could not help but picture my meeting with Cristina, along with many other "small-'s' sacrament" meet-ups with which I have been gifted over the years.

I have nothing against the low-tech world. "De gustibus non est disputandum:" In matters of taste, there can be no disputes! I simply suggest the Ignatian idea that God can be found in all things - even on social media, with a smartphone.

Ms. Bunnell and others may not see any virtues to technology in their own lives, and that is OK. However, I suggest that there are gifts to be found.

My story about Cristina is one where God's presence has been richly proclaimed to me, via a smart phone. If I am to believe my digital connections, I'm told that I have proclaimed God online to others who might not necessarily see God as good. That's God's work. I'm just the channel, and I try to let God use me.

I do see worrisome trends of people being more focused on their technology than on the incarnate world. Advent is a powerful reminder of the need for silence; Christmas should call us to experience the power of incarnation.

As Catholics, we know that real presence is everything. There are many times I question technology use; a balanced "digital diet" is vital. Part of that balance is knowing that many people -- Cristina among them -- are now enfleshed in a new way after our meeting, as I imagine that I am for her.

At the camino's end, we had to get to Barcelona. Wouldn't you know it, two young theologians with whom I have unsuccessfully tried to meet in New York and Connecticut were going to be there for a meeting of a Catholic Social Justice non-governmental organization to which they belong. They invited me to attend the group's opening session to hear a diverse group of speakers, including Peruvian theologian Rev. Gustavo Guttierez, OP.

Much of the focus that night was about social justice and bringing Christ to a world centered on individualism. That is a place technology can send us to, as we turn from the very real world. But Christ can be "born" into the digital world, as well. It is a poor place, but His light makes it shine with hope.

Let us try to preach the Gospel at all times, and use technology when necessary.

(Mrs. Szpylczyn is a writer, social media consultant for Clear Faith Publishing, blogger at http://breadhere.wordpress.com and pastoral associate for administration at Immaculate Conception parish in Glenville. She attends St. Edward's parish in Clifton Park.)

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