Magnificat

Plenty of Catholics keep a copy of Magnificat in their bag or by the bed, a small monthly book that shapes the day around prayer. The app brings that same rhythm to your phone, so morning prayer, the day's Mass readings and a moment of reflection are always within reach.

What's inside

The app follows a day-by-day format. Each day includes morning, evening and night prayers inspired by the Liturgy of the Hours, along with the readings and prayers of the daily Mass. There are meditations drawn from the Church Fathers and more recent spiritual writers, plus essays on the lives of saints from every age. A calendar menu leads to a monthly editorial and other articles, and a small extra section holds blessings and further information.

It is straightforward to use, and you can adjust the font size, which helps if small text on a phone is hard on your eyes. The liturgical texts come from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and ICEL, and the app also exists in French and Spanish editions.

What it costs

Magnificat isn't free for everyone. If you already subscribe to the printed US edition, you can register and use the app at no extra cost. Otherwise, you buy a yearly subscription inside the app, which was $19.99 USD when we reviewed it, and it renews automatically unless you turn that off in your account settings. Individual months can also be purchased through the calendar.

For a prayer resource of this quality, that price is fair, especially compared with buying the print edition each month. Still, it's worth knowing before you download that the free app is mainly a door into the subscription.

Who it's for

Magnificat suits anyone who wants a structured daily prayer life without learning the full breviary, and anyone who already loves the print edition and wants it on the go. Parents, commuters and parish ministers will appreciate having the day's Mass readings and a short meditation in one place. Our verdict: a faithful, well-organized daily companion, best for people ready to commit to the subscription.