40 Hours Devotion
40 Hours Devotion
SAVE THE DATE (message from Fr. Mike)
As you’ve heard me say several times before, our parish is currently participating in the National Eucharistic Revival that comes to its conclusion with a Eucharistic Congress to be held this summer in Indianapolis.
The highlight of our parish’s observance of the Eucharistic Revival will take place around the Solemnity of Christ’s Body and Blood (Corpus Christi) as we celebrate a traditional FORTY HOURS DEVOTION from June 1-3.
Simply put, the Forty Hours Devotion is a special 40-hour period of continuous adoration before the Most Blessed Sacrament. Therefore, beginning after 4:00 PM evening Mass on Saturday, June 1st , the Holy Eucharist will be continuously exposed in the sacred monstrance atop the altar of Saint Anne church, pausing only for the celebration of Sunday Masses. The devotion will close with a Solemn Eucharistic Service on Monday, June 3rd at 6:30 PM.
This special devotion will be a powerful sign of our parish’s gratitude for the Eucharist, and of our desire to worship God Present in the Sacrament. Further, it will provide us as individuals significant time to simply be with the Lord, dialogue with Him, consider His action in our lives, and present to Him our most special intentions.
Please set aside some time – both night and day – from June 1-3 so that you can be a part of this special moment in the life of our parish.
Schedule:
Saturday, June 1
Corpus Christi Vigil Mass at 4:00 PM followed by Procession and Exposition.
Adoration all night from 5:00 PM until Sunday at 7:30 AM.
Sunday, June 2
Mass at 8:00 AM and 10:00 AM.
Adoration all day from 11:00 AM - 5:30 PM.
Mass at 6:00 PM.
Adoration all night from 7:00 PM until Monday at 7:30 AM.
Monday, June 3
Mass at 8:00 AM.
Adoration all day 8:30 AM-6:30 PM.
Solemn Closing 6:30 PM.
Sign Up:
Please consider signing up for an hour or more:
- in person the weekend of May 11th & 12th after all of the Masses.
- by clicking HERE to view our online sign up.
Why Is It A “40” Hours Devotion?
The significance of the number 40 in Scripture cannot be overstated. It appears nearly 150 times and has been associated with major events throughout Salvation History occurring in both the Old and New Testaments.
Most significantly, in regards to our upcoming Forty Hours Eucharistic Devotion, 40 is traditionally considered to be the number of hours that Christ’s body rested in the tomb until being raised. In
fact, in the Middle Ages there was a practice whereby the Blessed Sacrament was reposed in a repository for the 40 hours from Good Friday until Easter morning to signify the time our Lord spent in the tomb.
But there are other well-known events where the number “40” takes on special significance and is associated with great manifestations of God’s power and goodness. Some examples:
- The rains of the Great Flood lasted 40 days and nights.
- Moses fasted for 40 days and nights before he received the Law.
- The Israelites wandered in the desert for 40 years on their way to the Promised Land.
- Jesus fasted in the desert for 40 days and nights after His Baptism, in preparation for His public ministry.
- Jesus ascended to the Father in Heaven 40 days after His Resurrection.