LOTH App vs Book?

[jab42483]

What is your opinion praying the Liturgy of the Hours on a tablet or phone using the app versus using the traditional book? Pro’s and con’s either way please.

 

[OraLabora]

I much prefer a book though it’s hard to say objectively why. It’s a subjective thing I guess.

I also chant Lauds and Vespers and some times other Hours in Gregorian chant when at home so that necessarily requires books. Away from home I still prefer a book. However the convenience of a phone or other mobile device app cannot be underestimated.

For example my wife and I are avid road cyclists. So sometimes on long rides, I want to pray the mid-day office. Obviously bringing my breviary is just added extra weight and my wife and I do lots of steep hills as we live in a mountainous area. Obviously a book is a lot of extra weight to lug, so I use my phone in those cases.

There is, however, no “right” answer. It’s an individual thing and as long as you’re using a site with an approved version using approved translations, the prayer is just as efficacious either way. So I wouldn’t sweat it.

As another personal preference I wouldn’t pray it at my computer either. I carry my breviary in my briefcase to work. I feel it’s important to do it away from your current task, so I prefer my breviary and I’ll only pray it from the computer if I forgot my breviary.

Again though, that’s a personal thing. Whatever your preference is, is the correct answer.

 

[hadulzo]

I use the and love. Probably would not do it without the app. I

 

[Usige]

I’m guess I’m old fashioned in that I prefer books in general (real ink over e-ink any day).

I have used both and there isn’t anything wrong with apps. Personally I prefer the book because it takes me away from technology so it helps me focus on praying. It seems any time I have the app running I’m always getting an alert for email or a text about something. Those end up being distractions that I don’t need. They tempt me to take care of something that can wait rather than pray.

In the end I say use what will help you pray.

 

[ChurchSoldier]

I use both. (Anglican Breviary and an App). I prefer the book for a variety of reasons; the 2 greatest being 1) it is more difficult and increases learning and2) there is just something more connected with Tradition and those who have gone before when I read the book.

I tend to use the app more frequently due to convenience.

 

[dshix]

What is your opinion praying the Liturgy of the Hours on a tablet or phone using the app versus using the traditional book? Pro’s and con’s either way please.

Using a device with an app to do the LOTH is a great option for a lot of reasons, including easy accessibility, lightweight handling, and usability in the darkness. (in the case of a device with a lighted screen)

However, I find that there are a lot of cons.

• It can be distracting to others if you are using, say, a phone or an iPad in a holy place (Church, chapel, etc), since at first glance it will look like you may be doing some other, less worthy thing.
• It is easy to get distracted by pings. Phones, especially, receive calls, texts, emails, and many other notifications.
• Your LOTH book’s battery won’t die.
• I find it more relaxing and less stimulating to look at a book, rather than a screen, in general. Screens come with the natural connotation of web surfing, to me, so using a device for prayer purposes is generally distracting to me. This may or may not apply to you, but should be taken into consideration.

These are just a few things, but I hope they are helpful.

 

[estesbob]

What is your opinion praying the Liturgy of the Hours on a tablet or phone using the app versus using the traditional book? Pro’s and con’s either way please.

The only thing I don’t read on my kindle is the LOTH Just a personal preference.

 

[agnes_therese]

I use both – divineoffice.org app sometimes, and book (4-volume set) sometimes. I love having the app, because I don’t have to worry about flipping back and forth. But there are times when I just feel like praying with the book.

IOW, whatever works for you.

 

[CalCatholic]

I still like books for prayer and general Bible reading, but you can’t beat e-books or devices for research and portability when traveling!

 

[landon13]

I still have my iPad and iPhone for when I’m really on the go but, I still prefer the traditional book. When at home I will use my one volume Christian Prayer (haven’t upgraded to 4 vol. yet). When on the go and I know I will get in the LOTH, I will usually bring the “Shorter Christian Prayer” to get Morning, Evening, or Night prayer in.

God bless!

 

[Neofight]

I prefer papyrus scrolls written in Latin

 

[katy]

I prefer the book, but get lost and so usually wind up using the app.

 

[Joannm]

I find the app is particularly helpful when there is some doubt as to which page I should be on, which psalms I should be praying. No page turning is a great advantage. Still I do like the book better but now that I am getting older the print is getting smaller. On the app I can adjust the size of the text.