#Hopetelling through faith Communications

By Renée Smith
comms.camsel@catholictt.org

Attending a three-day conference in Rome for communicators was an unforgettable experience filled with enriching discussions, cultural immersion, and spiritual inspiration.

The ‘Young Communicators’ events organised by the Dicastery for Communications gathered individuals under 35 from around the world from January 24-26, coinciding with the public events for the Jubilee of the World of Communications.

The opening session at the Lateranense Palace on January 24 set the tone as we heard from others about their journey in faith communications. The group of 135 was reminded to use the hashtag #hopetelling when sharing our experiences in Rome and that Pope Francis has challenged us to be both “hope-seekers” and “hope-givers.”

Adjacent to the palace is the Archbasilica of St John Lateran, the only archbasilica in the world and the location of one of the Holy Doors. The first public event was held there and we joined a penitential celebration followed by Mass presided over by Cardinal Baldo Reina.

The following morning, in frigid weather, communicators set off from Piazza Pia with the Jubilee cross, taking part in a pilgrimage toward the Holy Door of St Peter’s Basilica.

Young Communicators pilgrimage from Piazza Pia to St Peter’s Basilica

After a special blessing, we attended a panel discussion organised by the Dicastery for Communication which included an audience with Pope Francis. The Holy Father emphasised that communication is not just about transmitting news but also about encountering others.

A highlight was hearing from Nobel Peace Prize-winning journalist Maria Ressa. She urged us to speak out even when “silence seems easier” and to recognise our power even in difficult times: “Silence in the face of injustice is complicity… Protect the most vulnerable and recognise your power. Hope is not passive.”

The second day also featured impactful workshops and discussions. One particularly meaningful session explored youth engagement in communities. Panellist Chris Walter shared innovative strategies related to storytelling, sparking new ideas for my work within the Archdiocese of Port of Spain and SIGNIS Caribbean.

He taught us about “participatory storytelling” to “tell stories with communities, not for communities.” His perspective on equal exchange in communication and relinquishing control as a communicator resonated with me.

The Sunday of the Word of God (January 26) was the final day of the Jubilee World of Communication celebrations. After Mass, I was thrilled to reconnect with fellow Antilles Episcopal Conference (AEC) representatives—Lisa Bhajan (Trinity TV’s Station Manager) and Lauren Branker (Communications Officer for the AEC Secretariat) who were in Rome for the Conference of Presidents of Episcopal Communication and Director of Offices for Social Communication. Alongside Archbishop Gabriel Malzaire of Castries, we represented the AEC.

Reflection and moving forward

After leaving St Peter’s on January 26, I began feeling a mix of emotions as my time with fellow communicators was coming to an end. Our agenda for the last day included a powerful sharing, guided by Narrative 4, an organisation that focuses on community-building through storytelling.

As I departed Rome for Trinidad, I felt a renewed sense of purpose and a deeper connection to the global faith community. I am excited about working with communicators in our Archdiocese and doing more work that honours lived experiences while leveraging our skills to amplify voices.

I remembered my Madagascan acquaintance, Mihajatiana Clerch Randimbison, sharing with me that before arriving in Rome, he spent a lot of time thinking about what it would be like to walk through the Holy Door (so did I!).

He also shared his prayer life was weak but all of our experiences in Rome brought a closeness to God he had not felt before. He said the pilgrimage we made, though a short one, sparked in him a renewed motivation to help others, especially young people. Similarly, the experience made me more conscious of how I communicate with God, with others (especially those younger than me), and myself.

I remain in awe that communicators worldwide share similar joys and challenges in our vocation. One of the most fulfilling moments was showing the work of Catholic Media Services Limited and my journey in Communications within the Archdiocese of Port of Spain.

Hearing peers express interest in adopting some of our Archdiocese’s ideas has been priceless—especially since many had never heard of Trinidad and Tobago before.

I am deeply grateful to the AEC Secretariat and the Camsel team for their support and resources, as well as to everyone who prayed for me during my journey. May we all continue to champion Catholic communications and tell stories of hope!