I don’t want one.

I have a regular rosary. Every Catholic has a rosary, even the lapsed ones.

I certainly don’t want it in app form on my phone.

Someone might, though, and I’ll hand it to the Catholic Church, because they’re really doing their best to connect with the youth.

The Vatican has released the ‘Click to Pray’ eRosary – a wearable device connected to a mobile app that’s activated by making the sign of the cross.

At least this is a tech innovation. The Church’s usual attempts to ‘connect with the youth’ end in criminal proceedings.

Engadget, with a description of the ‘smart rosary’.

The device — which can be worn as a bracelet — is made up of 10 consecutive black agate and hematite rosary beads, plus a data-storing “smart cross.”

Once activated, the wearer can choose to pray the standard rosary, a contemplative rosary or a thematic rosary, which will be updated throughout the year. The device shows progress throughout each prayer and keeps track of each rosary completed.

They even made a video with a hipster in it, so you know it’s ‘cool’.

Rad.

While we’re on the topic of the Church getting hip, did you know that Pope Francis has his own Instagram account?

6,3 million followers at the time of writing – talk about an influencer.

Back to the eRosary which you will soon be able to buy through Amazon (not a joke), and read more about on the official ‘Click to Pray’ website.

The Vatican says the device — part of the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network — is designed as a tech-based teaching tool for learning “how to pray the rosary for peace in the world.” The corresponding app features personalized religious content, as well as health tracking info gleaned from the bracelet. It’s on sale now for 99 euros ($110/£85).

Health tracking info – so you can see how close you are to meeting the big guy, himself.

Being holy has never been this easy.

[source:engadget]