[UPDATED for 2023] Are printed missals missing from your church pews? Do you find that your missal is difficult to navigate or read? Bring you own missal with you to church–literally in the palm of your hand! We list the top Roman Catholic missal apps out there. Many are free.
Take your time browsing through our extensive listing to find the one that best suits your needs. Once you have that in hand, please be sure to read our etiquette for using a cell phone in church so that you can minimize distractions to yourself and the pew sitters around you.
Our compilation (listed below) includes Missals for both the Ordinary Form and the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Catholic Mass. These apps are primarily in English (although some have language options including Spanish and Latin) and primarily follow the lectionary currently in use in the United States. A listing of Spanish lectionaries based on various countries is also listed below.
The Missals are contained in either free-standing apps or are part of the resources offered within other apps. We list both types of apps where you can find a Missal. In addition, we offer both the”lite” Missal versions (which only include the daily readings and Responsorial Psalms) and the full Missal versions (which include the complete texts with sacramentary).
First of all, what is a Missal?
The Missal is the collection of prayers, chants, and instructions (rubrics) used to celebrate Mass. The missalette typically found in the pews is an abbreviated version of the complete Roman Missal and is suitable for those in the congregation to use. The big book used by priests is called a Sacramentary. Combine that with the Lectionary used for the readings, and you have the complete Roman Missal. Read more
Recommended apps for the Ordinary Form of Roman Catholic Mass
Ordinary Form of the Roman Catholic Mass–the complete Missal, not just Mass readings and responses (although you have the option to have the app serve up just those basic texts). Here’s a link explaining all the features of this great app which comes fully loaded. Just click the day on the little calendar and voilà, the Liturgy of the Word readings are there in proper order AND linked to their iMissal Bible (NABre) integrated directly with iMissal so that you can jump from Mass readings and Bible verses directly into iMissal Bible for full contextual reference (another reason to get this app). Please note that the Bible is a separate purchase ($9.99) and only available on Apple format at this time. The text are approved for use in the dioceses of the United States by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
We prefer the iMissal app because:
Screenshot from iMass displaying just the readings and responses. This app also offers a full version of the missal as well as versions that are concise, with notes or with rubrics.
- It is the only Catholic app of its kind that does not require WIFI/Cellular to access Mass Readings & Missal content, so you can have confidence that you always have the text for the day with you including basic features like Mass text and Bible.
- It has been granted an official Imprimatur from the Catholic Church and is approved for use in the United States.
- The text on iMissal is easy to read because you can bump up the text size with the zoom-in tool or set it to desired size in settings. Text is re-formatted to fit when you zoom. Very helpful so you can read comfortably.
- Updates include popular devotional readings from Our Daily Bread (verses linked to iMissal’s bible); audio readings (requires internet connection) which can aid lectors with pronunciation, HQ video of Mass from CatholicTV (requires internet connection), and much more.
Because of inconsistencies with the Sacramentary, we do not recommend iMissal’s Roman Missal for priests to use saying Mass here in the United States. For this reason, the U.S. priests who tested Missal apps for us prefer to use the Roman Missal in iBreviary (Ordinary Form in English 3rd edition) when they say Mass using a tablet.
iMissal is available only in English as developers await the USCCB approval for the Spanish lectionary which they report will be forthcoming.
This major app is loaded with liturgical, catechetical and spiritual resources including a Daily Missal for both Ordinary and Extraordinary form of the Roman Mass.
- Bibles: The Douay-Rheims and Latin Vulgate Bibles (searchable; highlight text; Bible commentary imbedded). Complete New Testament in audio format.
- Catechisms: Catechism of the Catholic Church is offered as a web view display of the Catechism published on the Vatican web site. Internet connection required. There are NO apps with the text of the CCC imbedded due to copyright/translation issues. This is the only way you can view it using an app. Free online in English here. Other catechisms available on this app are Baltimore Catechisms #1, #2, & #3; Catechism of Christian Doctrine; the Roman Catechism; Catechism of St. Thomas Aquinas
- Calendar for Ordinary Roman Calendar and Extraordinary Roman Calendar (1962) in English and Latin. Comes with Saint of the Day, Liturgical readings. Audio version of Gospel readings available.
- Numerous devotions and prayers including a version of the Little Office of Our Lady, the 33-Day Total Consecration Preparation, Novenas to the Holy Spirit and to the Divine Mercy, St. Alphonsus Stations of the Cross, and the St. Bridget 1-Year and 12-Year Prayers. Many prayers are available in audio format if you choose to download them. You can selectively download what you wish.
- Library of spiritual writings by St. Louis Marie de Montfort, St. Teresa of Jesus, St. John of the Cross, St. Catherine of Siena, the Summa Theologica by St. Thomas Aquinas, the Imitation of Christ, Introduction to Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales, selections by St. Jean-Marie Vianney, and the Treatise on Purgatory by St. Catherine of Genoa. The Summa (apart from the Supplement) is also in Latin.
- Butler’s Lives of the Saints (with optional audio included)
- Papal Encyclicals
- Ecumenical Council Documents
- Audio – the whole New Testament, Psalms, many many prayers, Butler’s Lives of the Saints
- Scriptural passages for meditating on the mysteries of the Holy Rosary
- Examination of Conscience in preparation for Sacrament of Reconcilliation (Confession)
- Finally, EVERYTHING is searchable throughout the app. Type in your search terms and the app will serve up the resource containing it.
You can download the app for a FREE one-month trial. After one month, you can purchase a registration code to open the app to you for LIFETIME use.
This app uses a single platform with member parishes tapping in to create a community, so to speak. Our detailed review is here. It includes among its many resources daily Mass readings. My Parish App has updated that offering to include the Responsorial Psalm for the day. So, it offers for FREE the basic texts you’re looking for when you follow the Mass. It does not offer the complete missal with opening prayers, Communion antiphons, etc.
You’ll enjoy all the many other resources this terrific app offers designed to keep you engaged in your faith while at home including on-demand video of the day’s Mass from Catholic TV, abundant traditional Catholic prayers, Catholic News, faith formation resources, Brother Francis cartoons for children, audio rosary, audio Bible and much more!
If your parish does not participate in use of this app, that’s ok. You can still access the content by selecting any parish in the listing provided. That will open up the home screen filled with many resources you’ll find valuable, including the daily Mass readings.
This is an exceptional app which offers:
- Liturgy of the Hours (Roman and Ambrosian Rite)
- Missal for use at Mass–Roman and Ambrosian Rites
- Languages: English (Missal is 3rd edition), Italian, French, Latin (current), Arabic & Spanish (for Spain–NOT the approved Missal texts for Mexico or US, for instance)
- Mass readings (full lectionary) for the current day
- Missal and Breviary for the celebrations of the Saints. (also the commons)
- Main prayers of the Catholic tradition
- About Saints Day (short bio and picture)
- Load up to 10 days to use off-line
- option for Ordinary of the Mass and rituals according to the Vetus Ordo of 1962.
Note for Priests using the Sacramentary: This is the best app our priests have tested for use as a Sacramentary when saying Mass using a tablet. There is a learning curve for navigating the Sacramentary, but it is fairly easy to master after a few run-throughs or use of the tutorial. A MASS EDITOR has been added which gives priests the ability to create all the texts of the Mass on one page, adding the text of the homily, announcements, readings, etc. so all they have to do is scroll through all the texts that are in complete order. The Mass text created can use both ferial texts, as well as texts from the Common of Saints, Votive Masses, etc. The problem with this feature is the excessive amount of scrolling needed to get to the specific part of the Mass text needed (because so many optional texts are automatically included in your “created” version). You don’t want to do that while saying Mass. The priests who tested this app find the older version of using the menu along the left side –in landscape view– is much simpler.
Another annoying feature is the fact that the app doesn’t serve up the Proper Preface– necessitating considerable scrolling in that section of the app (needless distraction).
Set up for Mass on the road. Note the iPad is using iBreviary set to begin the Mass for the day. The priest enjoys relatively easy navigation in landscape mode with menu options on the left.
Using an iPad, iBreviary can be used in place of the traditional missal on the altar if you are without your Sacramentary. Imagine being on the road and saying Mass in a variety of non-church settings [see photo]. But world-wide, the debate on the appropriateness of this use continues. Some priests object to this unless in a pinch. Others have had a great experience with using an iPad in place of a printed missal. New Zeland bishops have forbidden its use by priests in that country.
You need internet/phone connection to operate this app. However, you can download a week of liturgies stored in a separate cache in case you are going to be in an area with no internet access (like your sanctuary!) Make sure all the particular texts you need are there before beginning Mass. This app is not biased toward the United States calendar, for example.
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Spanish Missals
Approved Missals in the following countries:
Missal in Spanish from Mexico to Central America (Free) Apple devices.
Missal in Spanish for Spain (Free) Apple devices.
Missal in Spanish for Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay and Argentina (Free) Apple devices.
Also see apps above: Language settings can be set to Spanish for Laudate and iBreviary available in Apple and Android platforms.
Recommended apps for the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Catholic Mass (Latin 1962)
Zoom feature (pinch) can be used for the missal and breviary text.
Internet connection needed to operate this app as data is not stored within the app itself.
Outside of an actual church setting, you can watch Masses live or on demand celebrated in the Extraordinary Form courtesy of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter at Christ the King Catholic Church in Sarasota, Florida, USA and other cities around the world. More info. is at the iMass web site. As they appropriately warn, “This app does not serve to fulfill the Sunday Obligation of going to church and assisting at Mass, however it is an optimal way to unite yourself to the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass at any time of the day or night.” When watching the video version you can use a split screen for the text of the missal. If you do not have a suitable mobile device, you can watch recordings of the Mass on your computer at this web site AND get the day’s missal.
A relatively new feature. Find-a-Mass, helps you find a Traditional Latin Mass anywhere in the world.
Here’s a review by a hard-core user.
Many other resources are included which cater to those looking for Traditional devotions and other pre-conciliar gems connected to our Catholic heritage.
Devotional booklets based on Scripture readings at Mass
-Mass readings for everyday of the year (The New American Bible)
-Daily meditations based on Mass readings
-Complete Order of Mass (ICEL)
-All articles found in the print edition
-Plus additional content not found in the printed edition
-Single page portrait and beautiful two page book-like landscape viewing on iPad.
-Apple Newsstand Subscriptions are available for $1.99/month or $23.99/year. Subscription will automatically renew through your iTunes account until cancelled.
Please note: Missal apps are not precise. Variations in Missals in English-speaking countries are not always accounted for and optional choices may or may not be included in the Missal app for the day’s text. You may wish to verify before using.