Preparing for confession in the Catholic Church has gone digital. IPhone users can download an app that allows them to collect their thoughts and keep track of their sins before they go to the confessional.

The $1.99 “Confession: A Roman Catholic App” prompts an “examination of conscience” based on the information the user submits, according to the Rev. Erich Rutten, director of campus ministry. The app requests basic information including the user’s age, sex and relationship status to develop a series of questions that prompt personal reflection.

Questions range from “Have I wished evil upon another person?” to “Have I used any method of contraception or artificial birth control in my marriage?” and users can check a box next to each sin they’ve committed.

“It allows you to tap off, ‘I’ve done this, I’ve done this,’ and then when you go to actually make the confession, it summarizes those or it gives you a list so it’s really clear and easy for you to say that to the priest,” Rutten said.

The Rev. John Malone, vice president for mission, said “it’s a way to prep yourself to receive the sacrament in front of a real, live, breathing priest.”

“Many people thought this was a way to substitute for the human experience and it’s not,” Malone said. “No diocese has ever given any serious thought that this would substitute for the experience.”

Both Rutten and Malone emphasized that the app does not replace the actual in-person sacrament of reconciliation

Freshman Emily Hoffman said she was skeptical about the app.

“I don’t think it would be a good opportunity for me to reflect upon my own sins, but as long as it’s not replacing confessions,” Hoffman said.

Junior Kate Babbit agrees the app is a helpful tool.

“It could help some people organize and get ready,” she said.

App designers see it as a way to spur Catholics back into the habit of repenting. Hoffman said it could attract a younger generation that is focused on technology.

“It might be a good opportunity to start thinking about [confession],” Hoffman said. “Like, ‘Oh wow, maybe this is something I should start focusing more on my life.’”

Babbit is skeptical about combining confession and smartphones.

“It’s just kind of different how they’re turning something religious into every one’s technology. Everyday apps,” she said.

A quick search on the iTunes store found almost a dozen confession apps, and a similar number of Android apps was found. But the “Confession: A Roman Catholic App” is believed to be the first app that has met with approval from Vatican officials.

“There have always been little booklets to help people feel comfortable about preparing,” Malone said. “The app is just becoming a substitute for the old way of doing things.”

Rita Kovtun, Drew Landon and Tarkor Zehn contributed to this report.

Gina Dolski can be reached at grdolski@stthomas.edu.