Phone app vs prayer books

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Vince85

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I pray the liturgy of the hours and i was trying to show a friend of mine how to use it. When he said to me that he didnt need to learn how to use it or that he didnt even have to buy the book either because he can just get a phone app for it and it does it all for you.I didnt know what to say. So i guess theres no need for the actual books anymore ? I do prefer the book, because it just seems like more hands on.I tend to think that people who only use the phone apps might have a hard time using the book if their phone wasnt with them. Anyone have an opinion on this ?
 
Vince85 said:
I pray the liturgy of the hours and i was trying to show a friend of mine how to use it. When he said to me that he didnt need to learn how to use it or that he didnt even have to buy the book either because he can just get a phone app for it and it does it all for you.I didnt know what to say. So i guess theres no need for the actual books anymore ? I do prefer the book, because it just seems like more hands on.I tend to think that people who only use the phone apps might have a hard time using the book if their phone wasnt with them. Anyone have an opinion on this ?
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Whatever leads more people to prayer and reverence for Our Lord and Blessed Mother is a good thing.
 
Vince85 said:
I pray the liturgy of the hours and i was trying to show a friend of mine how to use it. When he said to me that he didnt need to learn how to use it or that he didnt even have to buy the book either because he can just get a phone app for it and it does it all for you.I didnt know what to say. So i guess theres no need for the actual books anymore ? I do prefer the book, because it just seems like more hands on.I tend to think that people who only use the phone apps might have a hard time using the book if their phone wasnt with them. Anyone have an opinion on this ?
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I have and use the Liturgy of the Hours iPad app. It’s the only way I’d be able to pray it during the course of my day. I download the daily updates first thing in the morning and I’m good to go.
 
I am sure St. Francis would have loved an ipad or iphone where he could store all prayer in one single item when doing his travels to preach the word of God. This is an example of technology being used for good, plus thats one less tree having to be cut down 😉
 
Vince85 said:
I pray the liturgy of the hours and i was trying to show a friend of mine how to use it. When he said to me that he didnt need to learn how to use it or that he didnt even have to buy the book either because he can just get a phone app for it and it does it all for you.I didnt know what to say. So i guess theres no need for the actual books anymore ? I do prefer the book, because it just seems like more hands on.I tend to think that people who only use the phone apps might have a hard time using the book if their phone wasnt with them. Anyone have an opinion on this ?
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I LOVE my iphone!!! I love the fact that, in a little bitty hand-sized device, I can have a Bible, a Breviary, a mini-catechism, a Rosary (I have two!), the Divine Mercy, and any other thing you can think of.

Books are for home. Who’s got the kind of strength and the wheelbarrow to carry these things with you?

Phone apps GOOOOOOD. 😃

PS: Oh, yeah—Saint of the Day! How could I forget?

Can’t tell you how many times I went to Confession, then just whiled away the time till Mass by reading prayers and such.
 
Sailor_Kenshin said:
I LOVE my iphone!!! I love the fact that, in a little bitty hand-sized device, I can have a Bible, a Breviary, a mini-catechism, a Rosary (I have two!), the Divine Mercy, and any other thing you can think of.

Books are for home. Who’s got the kind of strength and the wheelbarrow to carry these things with you?

Phone apps GOOOOOOD. 😃

PS: Oh, yeah—Saint of the Day! How could I forget?

Can’t tell you how many times I went to Confession, then just whiled away the time till Mass by reading prayers and such.
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What if someone calls you while you’re deep in prayer?

Sorry, Kindle’s the way to go. No monthly fees either. 👍
 
Since I got the iBreviary app I find that I use the printed version less and less. My main use now is to look up the page numbers so that when we pray after Mass I can tell people which page to turn to.

I’ve especially noticed how nice it is when I travel. Bring my phone along and I don’t need to pack the book.
 
I use both! I like using books when I can because it just seems nicer. I <3 books in general and it’s nice to actually hold them in your hands. I also take my missal and LotH books to mass or adoration, I think using a phone inside the chapel seems…not so nice.

I have tons of religious-themes apps on my ipod. A bible, LotH, rosary, stations of the cross, plus an e-reader app loaded with books by the saints etc. I use these apps a lot while waiting in doctor’s offices or long lines or whatever. It’s great to be able to just slip it out and inconspicuously do a bit of praying. I also use it in bed when DH is asleep and I don’t want to turn the light on to read. =]
 
ProVobis said:
What if someone calls you while you’re deep in prayer?

Sorry, Kindle’s the way to go. No monthly fees either. 👍
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It’s CHURCH. My ringer’s always off.

I know people with Kindles who love them, but personally I don’t see the need for two separate devices when my phone can do it all.
 
Aleksa said:
That’s why you get an ipod touch. All the apps, none of the phone calls. 👍
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I wasn’t serious but whatever works. I hope I didn’t sound like an advertising agent for Amazon. Or anti-Apple, for that matter. Church isn’t the proper place for that.

And no showing off, either. 🙂
 
I have a good mixture of both actual books as well as iPhone apps. I have the Divine Office app on my phone, and I like it because I can listen to the morning prayers of the day on my way to work. Also, it helped me a lot when I was first learning things like praying the Rosary, because I could listen to the words which made it easier to memorize all the prayers.

I’m still a huge book nerd, though. I always have a big stack of books on my bedside table. When I’m at home I prefer to read from a real paper and ink book. But for on the go, or for being able to listen to the audio, the apps are the way to go.
 
There is something sublime about a holy book with a sewn binding, zippered leather cover, gilded edges and page ribbons.

Personally, and this is just my opinion, I find reading the liturgy on an electronic device to be a bit profane. I’ll probably get taken to task for that remark but a holy book is just that - set apart for sacred use. There is no ambiguity about its intent, what it is for and what I am reading. Open an iPad in a McDonanlds and eh, whatever 🤷…

But walk into a coffee shop and lay a Bible on the table and it is instantly recognizable to anyone nearby, sort of like when a priest enters a room. There is a reaction to it by those nearby which is not always communicated but can always be sensed. The space is claimed for God in a visible, recognizable way. Put a copy of the Catechism on your coffee table the next time you have company over and you will get a similar reaction. A good holy book, recognizable as such, will always foster conversation toward God and away from the vanities of the world.

There is a spiritual energy present when a a breviary, a leather copy of Imitation of Christ, a Bible or even just a copy of Shorter Christian Prayer is visible in the room, or even just knowing that it is in my backpack or in the back seat of the car.

-Tim-
 
TimothyH said:
There is something sublime about a holy book with a sewn binding, zippered leather cover, gilded edges and page ribbons.

Personally, and this is just my opinion, I find reading the liturgy on an electronic device to be a bit profane. I’ll probably get taken to task for that remark but a holy book is just that - set apart for sacred use. There is no ambiguity about its intent, what it is for and what I am reading. Open an iPad in a McDonanlds and eh, whatever 🤷…

But walk into a coffee shop and lay a Bible on the table and it is instantly recognizable to anyone nearby, sort of like when a priest enters a room. There is a reaction to it by those nearby which is not always communicated but can always be sensed. The space is claimed for God in a visible, recognizable way. Put a copy of the Catechism on your coffee table the next time you have company over and you will get a similar reaction. A good holy book, recognizable as such, will always foster conversation toward God and away from the vanities of the world.

There is a spiritual energy present when a a breviary, a leather copy of Imitation of Christ, a Bible or even just a copy of Shorter Christian Prayer is visible in the room, or even just knowing that it is in my backpack or in the back seat of the car.

-Tim-
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Good points. And how do you get a phone app blessed?
 
TimothyH said:
There is something sublime about a holy book with a sewn binding, zippered leather cover, gilded edges and page ribbons.

Personally, and this is just my opinion, I find reading the liturgy on an electronic device to be a bit profane. I’ll probably get taken to task for that remark but a holy book is just that - set apart for sacred use.
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Yeah, I’m taking you to task for that. 🙂

I find the audio version of the Divine Office Liturgy of the Hours really helpful. It also includes sung hymns, so I get a chance to learn Catholic hymns.

I can listen to it on the train and while walking. So while I"m walking, I’m actually following along. I think that’s invaluable.
 
And not everyone has the physical strength to tote around a Bible.

Or are you discriminating against us weaklings? 😉
 
I have the iphone app as well as Christian Prayer. The iphone app is quite convenient, especially at night when I am laying in bed for Compline. However I must say, I do prefer books better. There is something about holding a book in your hands and feeling the pages. While the app is convenient, i think it’s important to not forget about the qualities of print. 🙂
 
I use both. I can’t make myself use my iPhone in church. While I would know I’m praying, others wouldn’t necessarily.

Other than that though it depends on my mood. My leather-bound, four-volume breviary goes with me every where out of habit. I really love the romance of the actual book…putting the ribbons in the right place, flipping back and forth. I enjoy that, but there are times that I want to grab the phone and pray.
 
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