40 Hours Devotion

The Forty Hours Devotion is a special forty-hour period of continuous prayer made before the Blessed Sacrament in solemn exposition. Of course, the focus of this devotion is on the Holy Eucharist. As Catholics, the words of our Lord burn in our hearts: “I myself am the living bread come down from Heaven. If anyone eats this bread, He shall live forever; the bread I will give is my flesh for the life of the world” (John 6:51).

The Forty Hours is similar to a parish renewal or retreat, but with more time for mental and personal prayer, and fewer talks. Often a visiting priest celebrates the Masses and gives the homilies and meditations. It is a time to be alone in prayer with Jesus but also for the community to come together for liturgical prayer.

The number 40 and period of three days is a remembrance of the 40 hours from Jesus’ burial until His resurrection, but also a remembrance of the 40 days fast of Jesus in the desert. Probably the first inspiration for this devotion came from the Middle Ages, when the Blessed Sacrament was transferred to the repository tabernacle, referred to as “the Easter Sepulcher,” during the Triduum.

The Forty Hours Devotion provides a wonderful opportunity for the spiritual growth of each person and the parish as a whole.