by Jonathan Leong
THERE is a new app in town for the Catholic community. Called CatholicSG and launched last Thursday (Nov 17), it’s the official Archdiocese app for Catholics in Singapore. Apart from providing information to devotees and teaching them more about the faith, the app also complements the Archdiocese’s official website and social media platforms.
You can download it for free, from Google Play Store for Android users, and Apple’s App Store for IOS users. The app has had more than 1,000 downloads since it was launched.
Some users said that features such as the directory for churches have come in handy when looking for a nearby church to attend mass. Others say that the app’s religious readings, reflections and prayer guides make learning about the faith much easier. For example, the app also has religious reflections by Archbishop William Goh, and includes a calendar that helps devotees keep track of religious events and dates.
One downside of the app is that it does not include a fully digitised version of the Bible. It is limited to daily readings for the day’s church service.
The CatholicSG app is the latest in a number of new mobile apps designed to help the faithful in Singapore practise their faith. There’s the Muslim Pro app for Muslims that was launched in 2010. It features prayer timings, locations of nearby mosques, and even halal eateries.
Then there’s The Ultimate Buddhism Library app for Buddhists which contains 50 books on Buddhism.
Here’s a list of some available apps for followers of different faiths:
CatholicSG
Image is a screenshot from the CatholicSG App website
The app is an all-rounder app that includes daily reflections, readings, and information such as church services and their timings. The app however, does not include a digitised copy of the Bible. App users have said that they are happy with the information provided by the app.
The free app can be downloaded from the App Store (IOS) here, or from the Play Store (Android) here.
Our Daily Bread
Image is a screenshot from the Play Store website
The app is free and offers users bible readings which they can download and read offline, making it easier for on the go use. Reviewers have said that while the monthly updates for the readings can be an issue, most enjoy the daily availability of religious readings.
The free app can be downloaded from the App Store (IOS) here, or from the Play Store (Android) here.
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Muslim Pro
Image is a screenshot from the iTunes website
The app has a digitised version of the Quran. Prayer timings, as well as notifications for said prayers, are also available. It also has the fasting timetable for the period of Ramadan and a compass to show the direction of Mecca for prayers. Most users that reviewed the app welcomed the multitude of functions that the app provides.
The free app can be downloaded from the App Store (IOS) here, or from the Play Store here (Android).
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QamarDeen
Image is a screenshot from the Play Store website
The free app helps to keep track of a devotee’s religious life, from prayer to fasting and helps to provide an analysis of the user’s behaviour. Users have said that the app works as advertised and they have been able to improve their religious lives because of it.
The free app can be downloaded from the App Store (IOS) here, or from the Play Store here (Android).
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The Ultimate Buddhism Library
Image is a screenshot from the iTunes website
The app offers a range of 50 Buddhist books for the user. It is cited as an app that is suitable even for people that are new to the religion.
The app costs $0.99 and can only be downloaded from the App Store (IOS) here.
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Buddhist Meditation Trainer
Image is a screenshot from the Play Store website
The app features 10 levels of enlightenment accompanied with quotes to meditate on in every level. The app includes a meditation timer and audio cues to facilitate meditation. Reviewers have said that the app has helped to relieve stress.
The free app can only be downloaded from the Play Store (Android) here.
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Taoism
Image is a screenshot from the Play Store website
The app gives users quotes from classic Taoist philosophers Laozi and Zhuangzi. The app comes with a widget that allows users the option to view quotes outside of the app, on their home screen and lock screen, every day. Reviewers have said that the quotes have inspired them. A few however said that they experienced difficulty setting up the app’s widget.
The free app can only be downloaded from the Play Store (Android) here.
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Tao Te Ching of Lao Tzu
Image is a screenshot from the App Store website
This app offers users an English translation of the classical Taoist book, Tao Te Ching. Users can select their favourite excerpts and share them with family and friends via email. However, they have to pay for full access. The free version only grants access to the first 20 passages.
The app can be downloaded from the App Store (IOS) here and the paid version which cost $8.98 can be downloaded here.
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Hindu Gods And History
Image is a screenshot from the App Store website
The app helps people understand the different Hindu deities and festivals. It also comes with a Hindu calendar. While the app includes various videos and images to explain the religion, some reviewers felt it might be too brief to provide a comprehensive understanding of the religion.
The free app can be downloaded from the App Store (IOS) here, or from the Play Store (Android) here.
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Featured image by Sean Chong.
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