Universalis
Stored in Cargo: Universalis
| Universalis | |
| Developer | Universalis Publishing Ltd |
|---|---|
| Platforms | iOS, Android |
| Pricing Model | Freemium |
| Target audience | Catholic |
| Main Features | Liturgy of the Hours, daily Mass readings and texts, About Today saint pages, meditations, multiple translations and calendars |
| Description | Catholic liturgical app providing the full Liturgy of the Hours, Mass texts, and daily reflections, with support for various national calendars and translations. |
| Links | iOS• Android• Website |
Universalis is a mobile application that provides the complete texts of the Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office), daily Mass readings, the Order of Mass, and spiritual reflections, tailored to various national liturgical calendars.[1][2][3] Developed by Universalis Publishing Ltd, the app was launched around 2008 for iOS, with Android support added subsequently, and is available on both platforms.[1][2] It operates on a freemium model, with some content free daily and full access requiring a one-time purchase or subscription.[1][2]
The app includes approved translations of the Liturgy of the Hours (e.g., Grail Psalms, various national versions), full Mass texts for each day, the "About Today" page with saint biographies and reflections, and options for local calendars (e.g., USA, UK, Australia).[1][3] Its religious significance lies in enabling faithful recitation of the Church's official prayer, supporting both obligatory use by clergy and voluntary participation by laity, as promoted in the General Instruction of the Liturgy of the Hours.[3] User reviews commend its accuracy and textual fidelity, though audio is limited compared to other apps. Audience, features, and pricing based on developer description as of January 2026.
Features
According to official app descriptions, Universalis provides comprehensive liturgical texts.[1][2][3]
Liturgy of the Hours
- Complete text for all hours: Office of Readings, Morning Prayer, Daytime Prayer, Evening Prayer, Night Prayer
- Proper antiphons, hymns, and psalms according to local calendars[1]
Mass and readings
- Full Mass texts for each day, including prefaces and Eucharistic prayers
- Daily readings with multiple translation options where available[2]
Reflections and saints
- "About Today" pages with brief saint lives and spiritual commentary
- Meditations and additional readings[3]
Customization
- Choice of national calendars and translations
- Adjustable text size, copy/paste functionality
- Offline access after download[1]
History and development
Universalis began as a web service before the mobile app, with the iOS version released around 2008 by Universalis Publishing Ltd.[1][3] The app has been updated regularly to reflect liturgical changes and add calendar variations.
Pricing
The app offers limited free content daily (e.g., Morning and Evening Prayer). Full perpetual access is available via a one-time in-app purchase; subscriptions are offered for ongoing updates or web integration.[1][2][3]
Organization
Developed and published by Universalis Publishing Ltd, a company dedicated to liturgical texts in digital format.[3]
Founders
Specific founder details cannot be confirmed from official sources.
Advisors
This cannot be confirmed, as no advisors are listed in available sources.
Reception
User reviews on app stores generally praise Universalis for its textual accuracy, clean interface, and reliable adherence to approved liturgical translations, often preferring it for text-based prayer over audio-focused alternatives.[1][2] Some users appreciate the "About Today" reflections for daily inspiration.
Target audience
The app is intended primarily for a Catholic audience committed to praying the Liturgy of the Hours, including clergy, religious, and laypersons seeking precise, approved texts for personal or communal use.[3][1]
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 "Universalis on the App Store". Apple App Store. https://apps.apple.com/us/app/universalis/id284943459.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 "Universalis on Google Play". Google Play. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.universalis.android.app.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 "Universalis Home Page". Universalis Publishing Ltd. https://universalis.com/.