Columnist turns off phone like Saint Meinrad

Columnist Jonathan Nagy described his recent attempt to find spiritual peace by disconnecting from electronic communications for several hours.

Writing for the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown, Nagy recounted a Sunday afternoon where he placed his phone on airplane mode and turned off all electronics, except for his earbuds to listen to a Bible reading app. He spent the time performing yard work and preparing food, noting that he remained disconnected from the world for approximately five hours.

Nagy compared his experience to the life of Saint Meinrad, a Benedictine monk who lived as a hermit devoted to prayer and work. Nagy noted that while he eventually reconnected to his messages, the experience led him to pray for a better balance between his worldly obligations and the need for quiet solitude with God.