What’s on your phone? 7 apps for Ignatian spirituality

Throughout its history and in many areas, the Society of Jesus has explored new ways of reaching out to people and facilitating their encounter with Christ. Technology has become an enabling tool that Ignatian institutions and networks are using to offer another experience of faith, celebration and community.

In recent years many mobile applications (apps) have emerged that facilitate the approach to Ignatian spirituality. Here are a few that may be of use to you.

Pray as you Go

Pray as you Go is one of the quintessential Ignatian prayer applications (also available in Spanish, French and German). It offers a daily guided meditation in podcast format on one of the liturgical readings of the day. It concludes with questions for reflection and a time for personal prayer. The app also offers a guided Ignatian Examen, as well as prayer kits for particular circumstances or experiences.

Pilgrimage with Ignatius

In celebration of the Ignatian Year, the Institute for Advanced Jesuit Studies has developed a virtual pilgrimage app based on the life of St. Ignatius of Loyola on his pilgrimage journey from Loyola to Rome, which led to the founding of the Society of Jesus in 1540.

The app features a unique weekly location and an accompanying theme, both introduced through videos, key excerpts from the biography and autobiography of St. Ignatius. The app aims to facilitate reflection and personal growth through daily Jesuit readings, Gospel excerpts for daily prayer and follow-up with other participants.

Reimagining the Examen

Reimagining the Examen is an application that offers a different prayer experience, with different approaches depending on our needs and moods. Each Examen, based on the prayer that St Ignatius wrote over 500 years ago, guides us through a reflection on the day, helping us to engage God. This app is based on Mark Thibodeaux SJ’s book, Reimagining the Ignatian Examen, which offers flexible and adaptable versions of the Examen.

iBreviary

The iBreviary app is a very popular one. It features a digital breviary, missal, readings, prayers as well as texts for rites in several languages. According to Hugo Ducharme, in charge of logistics at Jesuit Refugee Service, “when you feel like putting in the hours, all the services are there, including daily mass. Also, it’s really easy to use. And it’s free, whereas printed breviaries are expensive.” Two other interesting options (in English only) are Divine Office, which provides an audio version of the texts and enables you to connect to a larger prayer community through Facebook and Twitter, and Universalis (which is fee-based).

Living with Christ

This application, available in English and French, brings us closer to the word of God. In addition to the daily mass readings, the app highlights the saint of the day, an image to meditate on, an invitation to solidarity, prayers for children, etc. You can also listen to the Gospel and Sunday hymns and see the Pope’s intentions for the year.

JesuitPrayer

In collaboration with the Magis Center for Catholic Spirituality and Loyola Press, JesuitPrayer (in English only) offers daily scripture, Ignatian reflections, and prayer to anchor your day and strengthen your resolve to remember what truly matters. 

It offers various online resources like a daily Gospel text with a biblical comment, and it follows the calendar of the liturgical year. You can also find Pope Francis’ video prayer intentions, a tab for “placing” personal intentions as well as the Ignatian examen of conscience, which goes without saying in a Jesuit prayer app!

3 Minute Retreat

The 3 Minute Retreat app, in English and Spanish, allows you to connect daily with God through Scripture passages, music and reflection questions. The length of the retreat is defined by the user and is very useful for a short break in the day to remember what really matters.

Do you use any of these applications? Which of these do you have on your mobile phone? Do you know of other Ignatian initiatives that you would like to share? Don’t hesitate to comment on them.

This article is based on the original post by Jesuits of Canada.