Tuesday Tech Talk: The Mary App

Traditionally the month of May has been recognized as the Month of Mary. Therefore, it's only fitting to kick off this month's first Tuesday Tech Talk with a review of the Marians' Mary App. This is the same group that has developed the Divine Mercy App that I reviewed last month. The Mary App is free and structured in much the same way as the Divine Mercy App. The app is available in both Apple and Android platforms. The app consists of three chapters or pages: Doctrine, Devotion, and Mary Plus. You are able to navigate to each one by tapping icon buttons at the bottom of the screen you are viewing.

DOCTRINE
The Doctrine chapter includes six sub-categories organized into two columns and represented by images. Like the navigation for the pages, you simply tap one of the icons to go to each. The six topics include an introduction to the app, a timeline of events in the history of the Church related to Mary, Marian Dogmas, titles of Mary, FAQ's and a link to additional resources. Each sub-category will take you to a list of articles on that particular topic or in the case of the resources, link you to an online store for Marian books and sacramentals.

DEVOTION
The Devotion chapter contains a wealth of information and prayers to help you develop a devotion, a relationship with our Blessed Mother. This chapter is also organized into six sub-categories identified by images depicting the topic. Two features of this page that make the overall app a huge bargain are the interactive Rosary and Chaplets. Like other Rosary apps you can scroll down the beads as you follow the guided prayers. The settings permit you to select all four sets of Mysteries and to activate the Audio Rosary. The page also includes a collection of several traditional, Marian prayers. This section also includes a list of Marian Feasts and an explanation on consecration to Mary and a review of popular Marian sacramentals.

MARY PLUS
The Mary Plus section covers a variety of subjects not easily categorized into one title. Like the other pages it is organized into six sub-topics. These include a collection of beautiful images of Mary and a list of apparitions with articles explaining their status as authentic or not. The page also in Luke's a comprehensive list of Marian pilgrimage sites. This is not only organized by continent, but also by regions within individual countries. This is the most extensive list of this kind I have ever seen collected in one place. The last three sections contain information about the Marians, the Marian Helpers and a link to the online Divine Mercy and Mary stores.

RECOMMENDATION
The Mary App could have easily been sold as several excellent apps. Instead the Marians have compiled a one-stop app for all things Marian. This is an app that must be added to your Catholic Toolbox.

Tuesday Tech Talk:Divine Mercy App

This Sunday, the Second Sunday of Easter, is Divine Mercy Sunday. Blessed John Paul II instituted this Divine Mercy as a feast of the Universal Church beginning in 2001. We mark the day by celebrating Mass, venerating the image of Divine Mercy, listening to the teaching on mercy and by praying the Divine Mercy Chaplet. Go to the The Divine Mercy website to learn about the wonderful graces associated with this day of celebration.

The Marians of the Immaculate Conception, the official stewards of the National Shrine of Divine Mercy, have developed a smartphone app that covers all things related to Divine Mercy. It is available for free and is currently available in both Android and iPhone platforms. The app is divided into three categories: The Message, The Devotion and Mercy Plus.

The first page of the app is called The Message. It includes an introduction to the message of Divine Mercy. It also contains information about St. Faustina and the message she received from our Lord, including the Diary she wrote, Divine Mercy in My Soul, as result of the apparitions. Additionally, this section includes mercy quotations from Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI. It also contains a tab to obtain additional catechetical resources.

The second page is entitled The Devotion. It includes a virtual chaplet to pray. It's similar to some of the virtual Rosaries you have seen that you touch or scroll the image of the bead to move to the next one. This app has an interesting feature that allows you to turn on an audio guide to the chaplet in the settings. This allows you to pray along with the guide. This section also includes three choices for the image of Divine Mercy and an explanation of the 3 O'Clock Hour, the mercy hour. It also includes a guide to celebrating the Feast of Mercy. Finally, in also includes a virtual Way of the Cross and a collection of prayers, including the Novena.

The final section is Mercy Plus. This page includes background information on the Marians and the Marian Helpers. It also has a tab for the National Shrine of Divine Mercy and includes information on pilgrimages, tours and a calendar of events. It also has tabbed links to apostolates devoted to works of divine mercy. Additionally, it includes links to articles on the subject of divine mercy, including those that address FAQ. Finally, a direct link to The Divine Mercy online store to purchase chaplets, books, CD's, etc.

My only suggestion to the developers of the app is that it would be a nice addition to include a way for it to remind you to pray the Chaplet at the Mercy Hour.

Happy Easter! This is a spiritually rich season that keeps giving graces. We still have Divine Mercy Sunday, ongoing Mystagogy and the pouring out of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.