19 March 2020 | General Interest
Many excellent devotional applications and websites are available to support and deepen the devotional and prayer life of those unable to attend Mass in person (as well as those who can). We’ve listed some sites, apps, and podcasts that we find most helpful.
Devotional sites and apps
1. Bread 4 Today: https://www.cssr.org.au/bread4today/
This daily reflection app is produced by the Redemptorists, Australia, New Zealand and Samoa
2. Three-Minute Retreat: https://www.loyolapress.com/3-minute-retreats-daily-online-prayer/about-3minute-retreats
These brief but thoughtful virtual ‘retreats’ are based on the lectionary and are produced by Loyola Press, a ministry of the Jesuits in the United States.
They are available online or as an app on your phone.
3. Sacred Space: https://www.sacredspace.ie/
The Irish Jesuits have been producing the popular Sacred Space daily prayers and reflections for more than twenty years, and they are now available as a convenient phone app.
4. Pray as You Go: https://pray-as-you-go.org/
Based on Ignatian spirituality, and incorporating music, Scripture from the Lectionary and prayer prompts, this audio app is designed to provide ‘a framework for your own prayer’.
5. The 2020 Lent reflections, calendar, and podcasts: https://melbournecatholic.org.au/lent
Produced by the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne.
6. Universalis: https://universalis.com/index.htm
This is a useful subscription-based liturgy app for those who want to follow the daily liturgy during a streamed Mass or to pray the hours as part of their personal devotions.
7. Magnificat Magazine: https://us.magnificat.net/free
A spiritual guide to help you develop your prayer life, grow in your spiritual life, find a way to a more profound love for Christ, and participate in the holy Mass with greater fervor. Magnificat is currently offering complimentary access to the online version of its prayer book, including the daily liturgy, saint of the day, spiritual reflections and prayers.
Faith-forming podcasts
1. Do Something Beautiful: Leah Darrow podcast
Leah Darrow, former model and contestant on America’s Next Top Model, draws on her experience in the beauty industry to expose the lies we are told about our worth being tied to our appearance and instead invites us to look again at the real meaning of beauty in service to mankind.
Latest episode: “Receiving Jesus on Skis (with Rebecca Dussault)”
When to listen: If you want it all! Topics ranging from dating to ethical issues, interviews with sports stars, pro-life advocates, Monday motivation, marriage, Theology of the Body with Christopher West, the saints, understanding autism and homelessness! It’s the all-rounder Catholic podcast for everyday inspiration and encouragement to live the faith in an everyday way.
2. UMD Newman Catholic Campus Ministry: Fr Mike Schmitz podcast
Homilies preached by Fr Michael Schmitz, Chaplain for the University of Minnesota-Duluth Catholic Campus Ministry.
Latest episode: “Un-done: Not fine. You’re not fine and you don’t need to be”
When to listen: If you want to hear the Sunday readings broken open in a relevant and raw way. This podcast will feed your personal faith life, engage you in the scriptures and respond to the gospel in a real-life way. Fr Mike Schmitz has a true gift of connecting faith to life. He’s also super engaging and will take you on a journey, whether you’re listening from home, your car, on the treadmill or whilst you’re out and about!
3. Pints with Aquinas: Matt Fradd podcast
If you could sit down with St Thomas Aquinas over a pint of beer and ask him any one question, what would it be? Every episode of Pints With Aquinas revolves around a question, a question that St. Thomas addresses in his most famous work, The Summa Theologica. So get your geek on, pull up a barstool, and grab a cold one.
Latest episode: “Protestantism, Contingency with Cameron Bertuzzi”
When to listen: If you’re in search of some hearty (and witty) philosophical conversations that engage deeply with Catholic beliefs. This podcast hosts solid conversations around Catholic apologetics, engages with real-life, modern faith questions and offers easy-access into the philosophical treasures of St Thomas Aquinas’s works.
4. Catholic influencers podcast
Fr Rob Galea and Danii Sullivan host weekly conversations with Catholic influencers to help Catholics go deeper and further in influencing our world for Jesus
Latest episode: “Why does God allow suffering?”
When to listen: If you want to deep-dive into the upcoming Sunday Gospel reading. Discussions draw upon knowledge from biblical commentaries and personal stories in order to illuminate the gospel readings in refreshing ways. This podcast is an excellent resource to help prepare your heart and mind for Sunday Mass and you’ll no doubt take many “gems” from it into your own personal faith journey
5. Divine Renovation podcast
The Divine Renovation Podcast seeks to inspire and equip parishes to move from maintenance to mission. Join Fr James, Dan O’Rourke, Ron Huntley and guests as they take a deep look at the three keys of parish renewal; the primacy of evangelisation, the best of leadership principles, and the power of the Holy Spirit.
Latest podcast: “Should your parish stop what they’re doing in evangelisation?”
When to listen: If you’re interested in seeing your parish, community and fellow believers come alive in the faith. The “DR” podcast hosts passionate and honest chats, encouraging us to get real with where our church community is at, to vision big in the ways that we can grow in our leadership, personal faith, skills set and community in order to move our parishes from “maintenance to mission”.
6. The Word on Fire Show
Join Bishop Robert Barron for a weekly podcast on faith and culture.
Latest podcast: The Eucharist in the Early Church (Part 1 of 2)
When to listen: If you’re looking for an Informed, thought-provoking, reliable explanation of all things faith. Bishop Barron engages with even the toughest questions and realities that believers are confronted with today. He leaves “no stone unturned” and gives a deeply insightful explanation into how to navigate, understand and respond to some of the tougher realities and questions of today.
7. Ask Father Josh
Ask Fr Josh is the podcast where millennial priest from Baton Rouge, Fr Josh Johnson, helps listeners navigate the tricky times in life.
Latest episiode: Be My Guest: Fr. Paul Gros on OCD, Anxiety, and Therapy
When to listen: If you’re one of the many looking for guidance in your real, everyday questions and dilemmas. Fr Josh shares from what he’s learned during his time as a priest, pastor, and friend as he answers real-life questions ranging from Catholic teaching to moral dilemmas to relationship advice. This podcast is heartening and encouraging and steps into the “grey areas” of Christian living.
If you have any resources you’ve found helpful, let us know by emailing communications@cam.org.au.