In an age of screens and sensors, spirituality has entered the digital realm. “Digital Rites” explores virtual pilgrimages—from 360° video tours of Mecca’s Grand Mosque to VR recreations of Camino de Santiago, and mindfulness apps guiding travelers through Buddhist temples in real time. Victor Ruiz examines how technology transforms ritual—letting homebound believers complete religious requirements, creating new shared spaces in the metaverse, and giving rise to hybrid rites that blend physical presence with virtual augmentation. He interviews VR developers who rebuilt ancient temples using laser scans, cultural anthropologists studying email-based prayer chains, and participants of online retreats led by Dali-based monastics. Ethical questions arise: is virtual worship equivalent to the embodied tradition? How to manage digital equity in religious tech access? From digital footprints on sacred land to AR-guided pilgrimage apps that light candles in remote sanctuaries, “Digital Rites” offers a thoughtful portrait of faith in motion, remixed for digital times—highlighting both continuity and transformation in how we journey, remember, and connect.

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