Indian Catholic Influencer Calls Young Faithful to Boldly Witness Christ Online

The global popularity of social media has given birth to thousands of Catholic influencers across the world. Catholic influencers are individuals who leverage social media platforms to share content related to the Catholic faith with a global audience. Among the many prominent figures in this space is Sachin Jose Ettiyil. A journalist and social media consultant by profession, Sachin shares content related to the Catholic faith to nearly 184K followers on his X (formerly Twitter) page every day. He also has a 115,000 strong follower base on Instagram. 

In an insightful interview with Catholic Connect, he opens up about his personal background, professional journey, the origins of his work as a Catholic influencer and much more. 

Could you tell us a bit about yourself? 

I hail from Kerala and hold a postgraduate degree in Commerce. I am the founder of Frassati Digital, a social media marketing company. Prior to founding Frassati Digital, I worked as a journalist and content creator for a Catholic media production company. Currently, I also serve as a contributing journalist for another Catholic media outlet. 

Give us a brief picture of how and when your journey as a Catholic influencer began. Any particular incident or person that inspired you to embark on this journey? 

I’ve been active on social media from a very young age. I realized early on that social media could become one of the most effective tools for sharing Jesus with the world while also leveraging its professional aspects. A key realization for me was seeing how faith provides people with strength, especially during times of pain and trouble. Ultimately, it is my love for Jesus and my deep desire to share Him with the world that inspired me to embark on this journey. 

Social media can be a challenging space, especially when discussing faith. How do you navigate criticism or negativity online? 

If we approach our work with proper study and preparation, we can present content so well that critics will struggle to find faults. Evangelization must be done with clarity and logic. Even then, there will always be some people who criticize. In such cases, I simply don’t let it affect me. Criticism is inevitable, but staying grounded in truth and love is the best way to navigate it. 

Could you share a specific story or moment when your digital outreach made a significant impact on someone’s life or faith journey?

I often receive messages from people sharing how my posts have influenced their faith. Some of these are from individuals preparing to enter the Catholic Church. Recently, a pastor who became Catholic told me that my content played a role in his discernment. Stories like these remind me of the importance of my mission and keep me motivated. 

According to you, what are the various challenges that Catholic journalism is facing today? 

One major challenge is that Catholic journalism often focuses excessively on the negative events happening in the world and the Church. In my view, the path of evangelization lies in positive journalism, as our faith is one of hope, not despair. Catholic journalists should keep this in mind. 

Another challenge is understanding the society and culture we are addressing. Many times, we fail to resonate with people because we don’t fully grasp their emotions, needs and cultural context. Effective evangelization requires both empathy and cultural awareness. 

Finally, what message would you like to share with young Catholics across the world? 

I encourage young Catholics to become bold witnesses to Jesus Christ. This is not something to be shy about, but rather something to share with pride. History shows us that Christian missionaries transformed India, bringing education, healthcare and countless other blessings to our nation. 

Our faith has always been a force for positive change in the world, and it remains the only faith capable of transforming it for the better. So, I urge you to stand firm in your faith and share it with confidence and love. 

By Steve Antao