Mobile Catholics

There are some things that I just can’t wrap my mind around doing on my phone.  I enjoy my Droid immensely.  I am completely dedicated to Evernote, RTM, Astrid Tasks, even my alarm clock.

What I cannot bear is to have a grocery list that wasn’t created with paper and pen.  I like my list, I like my (only slightly anal) organization of it, I like a simple piece of paper to cart around the store with me.  I don’t want to keep referring to my phone when I’m trying to make my way to the checkout line.

I feel the same way about the Divine Office for iPhone.   I cannot wrap my mind around sitting down with my phone to pray.  I would much rather curl up on my couch or kneel by my bed with my book.  The pages of the Office feel warm and inviting.  My phone, however beloved, does not.  I do have Catholic Mass Readings on my phone (all you Droid users searching for Divine Office – there’s your answer) but I never use it.  Ever.  Even when I’m traveling and could/should use it, I don’t.  However, it does come in handy if you’ve lost track of where we are in the liturgical year, or if you want to read about the saint of the day.

I liken this experience to going to church just to stop for a quick prayer.  It’s always a good idea.  But there is something about sitting in a quiet, dark chapel with flickering candles nearby and the Blessed Sacrament light glowing warmly that makes it so much better than sitting in a brightly lit church in the middle of the day.

Of course, don’t get me started on the beauty of real candles to lit in church verses the electric ones.  So you can imagine how I feel about the saints and candles app.

As wonderful as technology can be to help us in our lives, I believe there are some things that just cannot be replaced.

(Having said all this, I just noticed the Divine Office for iPhone is on sale for $7.99 through Thanksgiving.  Now, does that change my mind?  Not at all, but if it changes yours, head on over to the app store before the 25th!)