UPDATE: The iOS version of this app is not linked at this time on the official web site. But you can get it on iTunes. Happily, it is available in English, Polish, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Italian, Russian, German and Ukrainian. Switching the app to English was a stubborn exercise. Select the language and then re-start the app and it works.
The free official World Youth Day Pilgrim App [Apple | Android] is also available on GooglePlay. While this official app has several useful elements for pilgrims, it is mildly useful (other than schedule) for the folks at home to follow. We will post the better apps for following World Youth Day coverage of events in another post.
Here’s what you get in this app…
news, phrasebook, emergency contacts, prayers, songbook, photos, guides/maps to important pilgrimage places, first aid help and transportation stations guides. The “Program” guide offers much more than just a listing of schedule of events. It breaks out each event with detailed walking directions, maps and transportation guides. You also get details of the event and a little something about the featured speakers/homilists/presiders.
But in addition to detailing the events and the pope’s program, pilgrims are treated to specifics of the Youth Festival offerings (exhibitions, sports, religious events, vocations center, dramas, music) and catechesis and schedule of confessions. Spiritual content is rich and engaging and includes the liturgical readings, homilies and even Liturgy of the Hours (but only for July 26th).
An important element will be radio broadcast of the events (think Pope’s homily and speeches) translated into many languages. This app offers links in your language in the “frequency” tab to local radio stations so that you can listen in on your mobile device. Finally, we like the “postcard” setting in which pilgrims can grab photos in the app, and send a social media message dressed up with appropriate WYD logo and a nifty “stamp” design.
Jennifer, I got the app to work on iOS, installed it about five days ago but it wasn’t intuitive switching the language to English. Once I was successful at that I fount that it’s a very good app and will help keep me in touch with my son’s experience at WYD. Pilgrimage by the American Bible Society and USCCB is moderately helpful but is more like spiritual support.
Thank you, Robert!
Question – when you “select the language”, I get a screen with multiple languages. When I click on English and then quit the app, nothing changes when I return. What am I missing?
In my experience that is what it does. I tired several times…pressed the English line for a few seconds. Returned to home screen. Shut off the app. It finally switched to English.