In the course of my search for the perfect rosary app, I have downloaded and tried dozens. So far, only three have made the cut to "Essential" level, and only iRosary remains of the three that were on the list when I wrote that article.

But now, thanks to the new RosaryPlus iOS app from St. Clement ePress, I might just have a real contender for that ever-elusive perfect rosary app. (Well, on second thought, it might be a tie with iRosary.)

What I love about RosaryPlus:

It's easy to use.

Though I think it should be required, I find that many rosary apps are not intuitively easy to use, even for me, a wannabe techie and an admitted rosary geek. RosaryPlus IS easy to use: you tap the beads to pray. Period. It's that easy. And when you need help, it's easy to find.

It's beautiful.

There's something about praying a rosary that makes me long for beauty, especially when I'm staring at a glowing screen for my inspiration. This app delivers. Not only is there artwork with each decade, but the whole layout is pleasing and lovely.

There's scripture included.

I hope that this gets more fully integrated; when I prayed using the scripture between Hail Marys, it made for a lot of clicking back-and-forth and losing my place in the scriptural line-up. (I'm sure there will be an update. I used the very first version.)

There's more than just a rosary.

Not only do you get to pray the rosary, but there's background material about the rosary and the Divine Mercy Chaplet, as well as options to pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet and the St. Michael Chaplet.

Bonus features with RosaryPlus:

The Divine Mercy Chaplet

And not just a "here, use your rosary for another prayer" tie-in, either: this is its own set of screens, its own color palette, its own section of the app. I'm not sure I have ever seen the DM Chaplet so well done in an app!

The St. Michael Chaplet

I have a tremendous devotion to St. Michael, but I have never prayed this chaplet. I have a whole list of excuses, but they're no good now. This section of the app is built completely for the St. Michael Chaplet and there's nothing to figuring out how it works and how to pray it. It's beautifully done.

Your Turn:

What's YOUR favorite rosary app? Because, you know, I'm rather addicted to them...

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Copyright 2012 Sarah Reinhard

About the Author

Sarah Reinhard

Sarah Reinhard

When she’s not chasing kids, chugging coffee, or juggling work, Sarah Reinhard’s usually trying to stay up read just one … more … chapter. She writes and works in the midst of rural farm life with little ones underfoot. She is part of the team for the award-winning Catholic Mom’s Prayer Companion, as well as the author of a number of books. Follow her writing at Snoring Scholar.