Already available for the iPhone, iPad, Blackberry, Windows Phone 7, and Android, iBreviary contains the complete Roman Missal, all prayers of the Daily Office, Mass readings and all prayers said and sung during Mass throughout the liturgical years.

Developed by Father Paolo Padrini, a parish priest in Tortona, north Italy, the Vatican consultant has made the free application available in English, French, Spanish, Italian and Latin.

Fr Padrini expects future upgrades to feature audio as well as commentaries and suggestions for homilies as well as musical accompaniment.

Earlier in the year the New Zealand Bishops' conference banned priests from using all electronic Missals in the liturgy.

"The Missal is reserved for use during the Church's liturgy. iPads and other electronic devices have a variety of uses, e.g. for the playing of games, using the internet, watching videos and checking mail. This alone makes their use in the liturgy inappropriate," the bishops said in a signed letter to priests.

The bishops commended the use of electronic Missals for private prayer and study purposes.

Sources

• Independent Catholic News
• CathNews
• Image: Coffee and Canticles