Q. I am looking for an app providing daily (every day of the year) readings/prayers that I can do on a daily basis. Any recommendations?
A. Yours is a timely question that many Catholics would benefit from. I am likely the least qualified priest to answer this question because I am largely technologically illiterate. Young people are natives to the digital world; I am an immigrant. Thus, I had to consult with those who are “connected.” Wow, there are a lot of good websites that can help us build, expand and live our faith.
The following websites are available on different systems. Some are free and some are for a subscription. Also, the apps, podcasts and other Catholic media presented here are certainly not exhaustive or all definitive as the Internet is full of good Catholic applications. Here’s what I found:
Apps for the Mass, other Sacraments, the Bible, Daily Readings and Devotions for Catholics
Laudate – combines a large number of Catholic religious resources into a single app, giving you instant access to most everything you could need or want.
iBreviary – among other features, a portable Liturgy of the Hours.
Formed.org – is like a Catholic Netflix. It has “Opening the Word” for Sunday readings. It provides thousands of movies, programs, audio, and books and as an on demand service is a revolutionary online platform providing access to the best Catholic audio talks, movies, e-books, and video-based studies from trusted sources. Excellent site.
Magnificat – same company that brings us the monthly Magnificat magazine. A really good source for daily readings, Mass and reflections.
Mass Times.org – finds Catholic worship times, mapped locations, and parish contact information.
iConfess – examination of conscience for confession
Mea Culpa – examination of conscience for confession
Truth and Life Dramatized Audio Bible – is an audio Bible and Study Bible. The Truth & Life Dramatized Audio Bible New Testament is a celebrity-voiced “radio drama” of the entire Revised Standard Version-Catholic Edition of the New Testament.
Verbum – an academic series for serious study of the Bible and Catholic traditions.
iMissal – This app includes a full, daily liturgical Catholic overview, prayers and a Saint of the Day biography and reflection.
Catholic News Agency – is a daily news source with global coverage of the Catholic Church
Divine Mercy – brief, daily reflections, via email, from the Diary of Saint Faustina.
FOCUSEquip – provides resources from Fellowship of Catholic University Students in evangelization, discipleship making, and Bible Studies.
The Rosary App – assists in praying the Joyful, Luminous, Glorious and Sorrowful mysteries of the rosary.
EWTN – Live Streams (TV and Radio) many of the popular TV and Radio shows on demand, prayers and devotionals, and the latest Catholic news.
The Pope App – gives you the latest news and information and tweets from Pope Francis and the Holy See.
Word on Fire – Bishop Robert Barron – a great evangelist – skillfully intersects the richness of the Catholic faith and today’s culture. He has YouTube videos on many Catholic subjects.
Podcasts
A “podcast” is simply an audio file on the internet. You can download and save podcasts, or in many cases, just listen on their website by clicking on the “Play” button. Here are some good podcast sources:
Lincoln Diocese Podcasts – Events, talks and presentations in the Diocese of Lincoln: www.lincolndiocese.org/podcast
Christ is the Answer – Father John Riccardo provides instruction on the Catechism of the Catholic Church and other topics critical to those seeking answers to life’s greatest questions.
Discerning Hearts – Catholic Podcasts specializing in Spirituality, Spiritual Direction, Prayer, Discernment of Spirits, Catholic Social Teaching, with an emphasis on Ignatian spirituality.
Jeff Cavins – A biblical scholar, Jeff Cavins shares faith tips and Scripture truths to help one live as a modern-day disciple of Jesus Christ.
St. Paul Center for Theology – Renowned biblical scholar Dr. Scott Hahn offers a weekly reflection on the Sunday Mass readings.
Spirit Catholic Radio
An excellent local Catholic radio network featuring local Catholic personalities and programming. It is a great source for Catholic prayer, inspiration, news, and more. Find your station:
102.7 FM Omaha/Lincoln/Western Iowa
88.3 FM Norfolk/Huntington/S.E. South Dakota
91.5 FM Grand Island/Hastings/Kearney
90.1 FM North Platte
89.3 FM Chadron
99.3 FM Columbus
103.9 FM Alliance
100.1 FM Beatrice
106.5 FM Holdrege
104.3 FM Imperial
96.9 FM McCook
95.1 FM Scottsbluff
107.5 FM Sidney
102.5 FM York
St. Paul would have used the Internet, so whether you are young or old – you can surf the net or stay on the shore – use web sites that can help your sacramental, devotional and prayer life. Excellent question. Thank you for asking it.
This question was answered by a priest of the Diocese of Lincoln. Write to Ask the Register using our online form, or write to 3700 Sheridan Blvd., Suite 10, Lincoln NE 68506-6100. All questions are subject to editing. Editors decide which questions to publish. Personal questions cannot be answered. People with such questions are urged to take them to their nearest Catholic priest.
