February 9 - 11, 2025

What is 40 Hours?

This is a period of time in which our Lord is placed on the Altar in the Monstrance for our Adoration of Him. We will then have Evening Prayer and a homily each evening (Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday) at 7 PM, followed by Benediction and Reposition of the Blessed Sacrament.

Hours of Adoration:
Sunday, Feb. 9th—12:30–7 PM
Monday, Feb. 10th—8:30 AM–7 PM
Tuesday, Feb. 11th—8:30 AM–7 PM

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Homilist: Father Brian Olkowski, a native son of our parish and the Pastor of Assumption 
of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish (Historic Saint Mary’s Parish) in Lancaster
 

History of the 40 Hours Devotion

40 Hours Devotion comes from the 40 hours that Christ’s body traditionally rested in the tomb. 40 is a significant number in the Bible, often tied to trials and/or suffering: the Israelites wandered in the desert for 40 years, and Christ was tempted in the desert for 40 days prior to the start of his ministry. The practice of 40 Hours Devotion dates to as early as 1527, introduced by St. Anthony Mary Zaccaria in Milan and Vicenza, and spread by St.
Ignatius and the Jesuits.

St. John Neumann was the first church leader in America to practice the devotion. At the time, Catholics faced great opposition in his home city of Philadelphia during the Know-Nothing Riots of 1844. Anti-Catholic protesters burned two churches and continued to foster animosity toward Catholics in the city.

Bishop Neumann wanted to institute 40 Hours Devotion, but some of the priests in the diocese were hesitant, believing that it might fan the flames of anti-Catholic sentiment and even result in the desecration of the Eucharist.

Neumann was working late into the night when he fell asleep at his desk with his candle still lit. As he slept, the candle burnt down and the papers on his desk caught fire. Miraculously, he awoke before a large fire broke out — and the papers, though charred, were still readable.

Neumann thanked God for His protection and the Lord spoke to him, telling him to not fear about having the devotion. The first was held in St. Philip Neri Parish, and then expanded throughout the diocese and beyond, being approved for all American dioceses in 1866.