DINNER PARTY CELEBRATING

THE FEAST OF OUR LADY OF LOURDES

On Saturday, February 8th at 6:45 PM

(after the 5:30 PM Vigil Mass)

RSVP HERE

Dinner Catered by the Crystal City Sports Pub

Mary appeared to St. Bernadette on February 11, 1858.   After several appearances, Mary told Bernadette that "I am the Immaculate Conception".  It was a lot to take in for young girl who did not know enought French to pass catechism lessons.    Check out the full story here:   https://ololcc.net/blog/februarys-light . 

Celebrate Mary's appearance to Bernadette!   Join us for a dinner party in the Parish Hall after the 5:30 PM Vigil Mass on Saturday, February 8th.   RSVP information is forthcoming.  We have RSVP availablity for 230 people.   Start giving to our parish mission here:   https://membership.faithdirect.net/enroll/VA327.  

What is Forty Hours Devotion?

“Lord, teach us to pray” (Luke 11:1)

Forty Hours Devotion is a mini retreat for the whole parish.  Its main feature is prayer and meditation before the Blessed Sacrament, which is “the source and summit of the Christian life.”  Forty Hours creates a continuous “sacrifice of praise” that flows from the Mass.

The Mass is our most important act of worship because it unites our lives to Christ’s death and resurrection (the Paschal Mystery).  The Mass makes our lives a continuous offering to the Father through the death and resurrection of Jesus.  All prayer flows from the sacrifice of the Mass.  In other words, prayer, and meditation outside of Mass form a continuous “sacrifice of praise” that is vital to our relationship with God and one another.  Charity is the fruit of prayer.

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

Forty Hours Devotion begins with a Solemn Mass of Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament.   The Blessed Sacrament remains exposed on the altar in a monstrance for the next couple of days.  During this time, the Sacrament is reposed during scheduled daily Masses and exposed again after Masses.   The faithful are invited to read the Bible and meditate in the presence of the Sacrament during this sacred time.  Forty Hours Devotion will conclude with a Solemn Mass at 5:30 PM on Saturday, February 8th, anticipating the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, followed by a procession of the Blessed Sacrament and a Dinner Celebration, in honor of Our Lady of Lourdes, in the Parish Hall.   All are invited! 

Thursday, February 6th - 7:00 PM Mass followed by Adoration

Friday, February 7th - Adoration all day until 7:00 PM Spanish Mass

Saturday, February 8th - Adoration betwen 9:00 AM Mass and 5:30 PM Vigil Mass.   Dinner celebration in the Parish Hall after Mass.