Peace be with you. The next time you go to Mass at the Mercedes Sur Catholic Church in Heredia, you may notice that instead of the Holy Bible and other books used to prepare for the Eucharist, there is a single tablet computer propped up at reading angle facing the priest. That would be Father Jose Manuel Diaz, a tech-savvy man of the cloth in Costa Rica.

According to an article by Ricardo Silesky of daily tabloid La Teja, there is a special reason Father Diaz uses a tablet during Mass:

“I use it mainly on Sundays. The tablet takes up less space at the altar, and thus members of the congregation are not distracted and pay more attention to the sacrament of the Eucharist.”

In that tablet, Father Diaz has installed the Bible, the Order of Mass, the rites, the Liturgy of the Word, etc. He says that the tablet has helped him become more efficient and fluid during Mass, and that other priests could also benefit from these mobile computing devices since they can enlarge the text onscreen when their vision begins to fail them after years of service.

Father Diaz is not afraid to incorporate technology into Mass. He has also connected a wireless digital projector to the tablet so that the Liturgy can be displayed on the church’s wall for the benefit of the congregation:

“We do this because we know that people have a visual, rather than auditive, memory.”

Sure, there are some detractors in Costa Rica who may think that technological gizmos do not belong in church, but Father Diaz is unfazed. He actually recommends to members of his congregation that they install mobile apps such as Laudete for their iPhones or Android-powered devices. In fact, he is thinking about installing a wireless private network so that the faithful can access the church’s Intranet and follow the Order of Mass, review Scripture, stay up-to-date on special activities and events, etc.

Pope Francis’ affinity for technology is evident in his taking of selfies and mastery of Twitter, so Catholics in Costa Rica are bound to be more receptive to technology during Mass and other religious facets. Last year, the Costa Rica Star reported on how Pope Francis’ shunning of the Popemobile and expensive cars moved priests in Costa Rica to downgrade their motor vehicles.