The Forty Hours Devotion is a forty-hour period of continuous prayer before the Blessed Sacrament in solemn exposition. The document Lumen Gentium from the Second Vatican Council reminds us that the Holy Eucharist is “the source and summit of Christian life (LG #11). While the Mass is the most important means of worship for us, the Church has, for centuries, encouraged the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament outside of Mass, with the implicit understanding that adoration of the Eucharist flows from the Mass, and should always lead us back to the Mass.
The number forty has, throughout salvation history, signified a sacred period of time: the Great Flood of Noah lasted 40 days and 40 nights, the Jews wandered through the desert for 40 years, Our Lord fasted and prayed for 40 days in the desert prior to beginning his public ministry, and spent 40 days after His resurrection preaching to His disciples prior to the Ascension. The 40 Hours Devotion also recalls the traditional 40 hour period from Jesus’ burial to His resurrection. As such, Lent has been held to be a traditional time for this particular devotion.
The practice is thought to have begun in Milan, Italy about the year 1530, and spread quickly when Pope Paul III granted an indulgence for the practice. St. John Neumann (1811-60), the fourth bishop of Philadelphia, is credited with the growth of the Forty Hours Devotion in the United States. While the devotion existed in a few Philadelphia parishes, Bishop Neumann wanted to encourage its practice in all parishes annually. Some advised him against it, as there was a strong anti-Catholic sentiment prevalent in Philadelphia, and in the country, during this time. As he considered what to do, a strange incident occurred which helped St. John decide. One night, he was working very late at his desk and fell asleep in his chair. The candle on the desk burnt down and charred some of the papers, but they were still readable. He awoke, surprised and thankful that a fire had not ignited. He fell on his knees to give thanks to God for protection, and heard His voice saying, "As the flames are burning here without consuming or injuring the writing, so shall I pour out my grace in the Blessed Sacrament without prejudice to My honor. Fear no profanation, therefore; hesitate no longer to carry out your design for my glory."
Forty Hours Devotion is often used as a time for a parish retreat or mission. Msgr. John J. McSweeney, pastor of St. Matthew Catholic Church in Charlotte, has graciously agreed to set the tone for us during this special time of prayer by giving a series of three evening talks entitled, “Food for our Journey: Eucharistic Stories of Faith.” Msgr. McSweeney was the first priest ordained for the Diocese of Charlotte and has personally witnessed the growth of the diocese from 30,000 Catholics to well over 300,000 in just over 35 years. He has been a pastor, school and camp administrator, Director of Vocations, Vicar General and Chancellor, and Diocesan Administrator during his 35 years of priestly ministry, and so brings us a unique perspective on how the Eucharist has nourished the growth of this Diocese, and brought to life St. John Neumann Catholic Church. We hope that, in his reflections, he will help to guide us, with the priceless help of the Holy Spirit, to discern the future direction and growth of this parish as we begin this next part of our journey together.
(Some information for this article was found in Forty Hours with Jesus Christ, an article written by Fr. William Saunders for the Arlington Catholic Herald in 2003).