Gadget-loving Liturgy Geek

Gadget-loving Liturgy Geek

Posted by on Jan 7, 2011 in Church, Featured, Saints | 5 comments

Two things that I’m known for around our offices are my love for electronic gadgets and my ability to find my way through the intricacies of the Catholic liturgical calendar. So it’s not surprising that I’ve got a page of apps on my iPad that keep me plugged into the Church’s cycle of feasts and readings.

Our own Saint of the Day app includes biographies of the saints, many in both written and audio form. Searchable by date, name and cause, the app is a constant reminder of the communion of saints.

I have two different versions of the Liturgy of the Hours. I had a bit of a search to find versions that had the Grail psalms. I’m familiar with the flow of the words from the official printed English text, and other translations seemed jarring. The app from Divine Office.org has a sung version of the Office, as well as an interactive map showing all the people who are praying with the app at the same time.

The iBreviary app includes the prayers and readings in several languages. I’m hoping by the time I go to Italy later this year to be able to find my way through the psalms and daily prayers in Italian.

The iMissal app gives me the entire lectionary at my fingertips. This is invaluable for the work that I do with Weekday Homily Helps and Bringing Home the Word. It also includes the full text of the Mass.

More apps are showing up all the time, not only for the iPhone and iPad but for BlackBerry and Android devices as well. Having the prayers of the Church as close as your smartphone gives new meaning to the admonition to “pray always.”

What’s on your wishlist for new Catholic apps?

 
 

About the Author

Diane M. Houdek is Digital Editor for Franciscan Media. She is the editor of AmericanCatholic.org and Bringing Home the Word. She has edited Weekday Homily Helps since 1994. She is an avid knitter and spinner and shares her home with three large and rambunctious dogs and a new puppy who's willing to take them all on. Born and raised in Wisconsin, she has tried her hand at urban farming and a host of other pursuits and hobbies.
 
 
 
  • http://www.facebook.com/barbarakb Barbara Kolbe Baker

    Apps, for me, were about the mobile experience. Now, with the iPad and new Mac app store, it’s a whole new way to develop product!

    I would like to see more books as apps especially daily prayer and devotion. As time goes on, more *lovely* apps will be developed for the Catholic market: better graphics, audio, video and even shared content.

    Exciting times especially for content producers!

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  • Sldigman

    great bloggin, Di!

  • Susanleeann001

    When I was in chemo for cancer last year, sometimes i did even have the energy to pray the rosary. i would listen to someone saying from an iTunes podcast download.

    • Dowhthetellsu

      Susanleann001 – there is a rosary app, and the Divine Office app referenced above has the rosary in it. All you have to do is click and it takes you through the rosary – and all the prayers. Good luck to you – I will add you to my prayer list. God bless!

  • Smaghsoodloo

    I am so grateful to software developers for thinking of those of us who are geeky and religious minded. Great work…