By Fr. Frederick Edlefsen

“Lord, teach us to pray” (Luke 11:1). Forty Hours is a retreat for all parishioners, friends, and neighbors. It begins with Mass and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament at 7:00 PM on Thursday, February 5th, running through Saturday’s 5:30 PM Vigil Mass. It concludes with a dinner party in the Parish Hall, catered by the Crystal City Sports Pub, celebrating the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. Forty Hours’ main feature is prayer and meditation before the Blessed Sacrament, “The source and summit of the Christian life” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1324). Forty Hours is part of a continuous “sacrifice of praise” flowing from the Mass.

Mass is our most important act of worship. Mass joins us to Christ’s death and resurrection, the Paschal Mystery. Mass transforms our lives into a continuous gift to the Father, through Jesus’ sacrifice. All prayer flows from the Sacrifice of the Mass, which is Christ’s ultimate prayer. Mass, and our prayers that flow from it, form a continuous “sacrifice of praise” that sanctifies our world and prepares it Christ’s Second Coming and Final Judgment. At Mass, we prepare the world to become a New Creation and Heavenly City.

Why “forty” hours? In the Bible, “forty” signifies a sacred time. Rains fell for 40 days and nights in Noah’s time. Israelites journeyed 40 years in the desert after fleeing Egypt. Moses was twice on Mount Sinai for 40 days, receiving God’s Covenant. The prophet Elijah journeyed 40 days and nights to Mount Horeb (Sinai), where he prayed until he heard God’s “gentle whisper” (1 Kings 19:11-13). Jesus fasted and prayed in the wilderness for 40 days after his Baptism. There were 40 hours between Christ’s burial and resurrection. There were 40 days between Christ’s resurrection and ascension. Forty Hours Devotion connects us to these sacred events, forming a “continuous sacrifice of praise.”

The Blessed Sacrament will be exposed all day on February 6th and 7th. You’re invited to meditate on Gospel and to contemplate – to “marinate” in – Christ’s intimate presence in the Blessed Sacrament. Sign up here. Forty Hours Devotion concludes with a Vigil Mass of Our Lady of Lourdes at 5:30 PM on February 7th, followed by a procession of the Blessed Sacrament and a dinner party in the Parish Hall.

RSVP here for the dinner.