Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Washington, DC (Agenzia Fides) – Although computer manufacturer Apple boasted of the iPhone's more than 140,000 applications - or "apps” - there were still some waiting to be discovered by Catholic iPhone users.
According to Catholic News Service (CNS), Dave Brown of Bend, Oregon (USA) has invented a virtual rosary-beads app (iRosary) as a sign of thanksgiving after doctors found a successful bone-marrow match for his kindergarten-age daughter in 2008, curing her of her leukemia. As an information technology manager at a window and door company, Dave Brown used his know-how to design an iPhone app that allows the user to pray the rosary. The small screen has animated beads that can be moved with a touch. Corresponding prayers pop up on the screen, along with devotional images. The application knows which mystery to pray on which day. It even knows where the user left off if the rosary is interrupted. The app also has Spanish and French capability. Brown told the Catholic Sentinel, Portland's archdiocesan newspaper, that within a year of its introduction, more than 20,000 sales of the app had been recorded. The Browns decided to keep the price low -- 99 cents -- to get as many people as possible praying.
Also, in time for Lent, Ave Maria Press has developed its own app: a Stations of the Cross app. While already available free at Apple's online iTunes app store, it is scheduled to be unveiled during the Los Angeles Religious Education Conference, to be held March 19-21. The app features artwork based on a biblical-based Way of the Cross conceived by Pope John Paul II in 1991. "We are delighted to explore creative digital ways of keeping our readers connected to God through prayer. It's our hope that many will take advantage of this free prayer resource," said Ave Maria Press publisher Tom Grady. (AR) (Agenzia Fides 11/03/2010)
