Religion and virtuality. Theoretical framework for the transposition of the sacramentality notion into the digital world

In a context where technology and the virtual universe are becoming fully integrated into human life, including the life of faith, the question arises as to how spirituality and religiosity can be mediated by digital means. Starting from this assumption, the contribution explores philosophically how the advent of the digital world has reformulated the concept of sacramentality. After a comparative analysis of the notions of sacramentality within the Catholic and Lutheran Churches, the contribution examines the specific case of the sacrament of confession and Catholic sacramentals, such as blessings. Adopting the extended notion of sacramentality proposed by Edward Schillebeeckx, the essay attempts to delineate a theoretical framework for considering some practical applications of these concepts. It then proposes to explore how concepts of sacramentality might be applied in the digital world. Finally, the possible transposition of sacramental concepts into virtual environments will be investigated, examining how they might be reinterpreted and adapted to meet the spiritual needs of the contemporary world.