Ever since I switched to this new Android phone, I’ve been trying to look for some good Catholic apps that resemble what my Apple-loving friends have on their devices. I must say the Android App Market is rather disappointing when compared to the iTunes App Store. But thanks to the recent upgrade on the AppBrain app/site, I discovered quite a handful of cool Catholic apps that can be downloaded and installed directly from my web browser. Let me  review a couple of them here.

iBreviary

One of the most popular Catholic apps on iTunes App Store has finally arrived on the Android App Market. The iBreviary is developed by an Italian priest, Father Paolo Padrini. The app has sections for the Breviary, Reading of the Day and Prayers, and is wonderful for Catholics to be able to keep up with their daily devotions while on the go.

Evangelizo – Daily Gospel

This app is developed by the folks behind evangelizo.org, and reflects the corresponding Gospel and Readings sections on dailygospel.org. There’s also a Saints section and an additional Prayers section hidden in the menu. You can also choose between the Ordinary Roman, Extaordinary Roman, Maronite, Melkite and Armenian Liturgical Calendars.

Lectio Divina

Lectio Divina stands for Divine Reading in Latin. The Lectio Divina app for Android consults the Catholic liturgical texts (readings, psalms, gospel) taken from universalis.org, and the lives of saints for each day or a date chosen.

Sincere Prayer

The Sincere Prayer app contains 4 major sections: Prayers and Verses, Prayer Journal, Daily Readings, Mobile Rosary. Worth mentioning is the Daily Readings section which contains links to various websites and podcasts where you can get your daily readings.

Mobile Prayerbook

This app offers a collection of Catholic prayers for you to take on the go. There’s also a Catechism section, which is great for folks who want the Catechism at their finger tips.  The user interface on this app is rather simple when compared to the others mentioned here, but still, it gets the job done. There are also separate apps available for Mobile Litanies and Mobile Rosary.

Catholic Mass Daily Readings

I had an earlier version of this app installed on my phone, where there were only daily mass readings and a prayer section. The latest update now has Liturgy of the Hours (Lauds and Vespers) as well as a Rosary section. Sadly I had problems updating to the new version, after I uninstalled the older version. So now I’m between a rock and a hard place. I tried contacting the developer directly via email, but he wasn’t very helpful, and has since stopped responding to my email. I’ve yet to see the latest version for myself, but the print screens and description from the developer’s blog look promising. At least for the short time that I had the earlier version on my phone, I had quite enjoyed it. I do hope to be able to install this on my phone once again.

All the apps mentioned are available free on AppBrain. Some of these apps are location specific, so you may not see it on the Android App Market. There are also some paid apps such as the iMissal that I’m not able to review here since I do not have access to paid apps here in Singapore. If you know of some good Catholic apps for Android, please let me know!

Tags: android, Catholic, devotions, prayers, Resources, Reviews, technology

That’s what Father Barron was tempted to scream at a recent screening of the movie, Angels and Demons. I think Dan Brown has more than got things backwards, he’s got all the facts twisted!

Tags: Catholic, education, movies, Resources, Reviews, videos, youtube

After watching the trailer of the latest Dan Brown movie, Angels and Demons, I have only word to describe it –> RIDICULOUS!!!

This must be biggest joke Hollywood has played on the Catholic Church, next to the DUH-Vinci Code.

I’ve not read either of Mr Brown’s books myself, but based on what I’ve heard and read about them, it does appear to me that they’re both packed with historical and theological errors, and outright lies. Although many will say “that’s just fiction” (which it is, of course), but still there will be people whose faith and impression of the Catholic Church will be negatively affected by the books, and even more so the movies. We must arm ourselves with the necessary knowledge to differentiate between fact and fiction, build up our own faith with the truth, and be prepared with the answers for various questions (and at times, attacks and accusations) that our friends and family may have for us.

Well known apologist, Mark Shea, has written an electronic booklet in corporation with Ascension Press, on the craziness of  Angels and Demons. This 23-page booklet contains answers to over 30 typical questions that may arise after reading the book or watching the movie, and is available for free download here. Read it for yourself, share it with your friends, and spread the word.

Catholic Answers has also written an answer guide to Angels and Demons. Find out more here! There’s also a clip of the This Rock article written by Carl E. Olson in the Catholic Answers Forums, which can be found here.

Al Kresta has written on the Angels and Demons phenomena on Ignatius Insight, as well as on his blog. I particularly what he said after watching Angels and Demons. –> “The movie won’t turn you into either.” Well said!

Last but not least, there’s also this brilliant article by Steven Greydanus on DecentFilms.com, highlighting the errors and mistakes that are in abundance in Dan Brown’s works. I’m also looking forward to reading Steven’s review of the movie.

I hope you find these resources helpful in educating yourselves and those around you about the horrific lies in Angels and Demons, in contrast to the truths which the Catholic Church stands for.

Tags: Catholic, movies, Resources

A handy list to have as we prepare for the new liturgical year. Hat tip to Father Z.

Fr. Z’s 20 Tips For Making A Good Confession o{]:¬)

We should…

1) …examine our consciences regularly and thoroughly;
2) …wait our turn in line patiently;
3) …come at the time confessions are scheduled, not a few minutes before they are to end;
4) …speak distinctly but never so loudly that we might be overheard;
5) …state our sins clearly and briefly without rambling;
6) …confess all mortal sins in number and kind;
7) …listen carefully to the advice the priest gives;
8) …confess our own sins and not someone else’s;
9) …carefully listen to and remember the penance and be sure to understand it;
10) …use a regular formula for confession so that it is familiar and comfortable;
11) …never be afraid to say something “embarrassing”… just say it;
12) …never worry that the priest thinks we are jerks…. he is usually impressed by our courage;
13) …never fear that the priest will not keep our confession secret… he is bound by the Seal;
14) …never confess “tendencies” or “struggles”… just sins;
15) …never leave the confessional before the priest has finished giving absolution;
16) …memorize an Act of Contrition;
17) …answer the priest’s questions briefly if he asks for a clarification;
18) …ask questions if we can’t understand what he means when he tells us something;
19) …keep in mind that sometimes priests can have bad days just like we do;
20) …remember that priests must go to confession too … they know what we are going through.

More of Father Z’s wisdom at What Does The Prayer Really Say?

Tags: Catholic, Resources

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Tags: Catholic, Resources, Reviews, technology