The Forty Hours
Devotion
and
The Saint of Eucharistic Adoration
"The Holy Wayfarer"
St. Benedict Joseph and the 40 Hours of Adoration
In 1776 St. Benedict Joseph Labre made his permanent residence among the homeless beggars in the massive ruins of the Collesium, the Eternal City of Rome. He chose to sleep under the fifth station of the cross with Simon of Sirene. At that time, the Forty Hours Devotion was held somewhere everyday in Rome.
Wherever you visit a Church in Rome, know that our saint has probably been there before you.
Our saint was seen by lay people and clergy in ecstasy before the Blessed Sacrament. He would have his head bent back and his arms out stretched; a position that defied weight and balance. He would kneel motionless for eighteen hours at a time.
St. Benedict Joseph Labre was seen levitating before the Blessed Sacrament. But, no one knew him by name. So they called him:
"POOR MAN OF THE FORTY HOURS"...
"LOVER OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT"
The Forty Hours Devotion
True Presence
This devotion is forty hours of Eucharistic Adoration in front of the Most Blessed Sacrament solemnly exposed on the altar. It represents the forty hours during which the Sacred Body of Jesus was placed in the sepulcher until He gloriously arose from the dead on Easter Sunday. Its purpose is to worship and adore Christ, to express our Faith and to make public reparation for all of our sins.
In Rome
St. Phillip Neri
In the year 1534, this devotion began at Milan, Italy. It spread throughout the country and in 1551 was introduced into Rome by St. Phillip Neri.
Pope Clement VIII commanded in 1592 that the Forty Hours Devotion be held in all of the Churches in Rome in continuous succession.
St. Benedict Joseph Labre would spend the greater part of everyday and sometimes the whole day in adoration at the Forty Hours Devotion. That's is why they called him the "Poor man of the Forty Hours".
In the United States
St. John Neumann
In 1853, it was introduced in the Unites States by St. John Neuman, C.S.S.R. when he was Bishop of Philadelphia, PA
During the process of his canonization his decision for the Forty Hours Devotion was confirmed to be Providential.
At first, Bishop Neuman hesitated in establishing this devotion. He had been warned by many that it would be unwise because of the Church burning going on at that time by the "Know Nothing Party".
One night while writing letters at his desk, he fell asleep. he was abruptly awakened by the sight of flames. The letters on his desk were ignited by a candle. Although all of the papers were charred, every word he had written remained perfectly legible. He heard the words:
"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."
Although Bishop Neuman knew how America would react to stories of voices and of letters that do not burn, he immediately decided to establish the Forty Hours Devotion in United States.
The Forty Hours "A need for today"
From the beginning, many centuries ago, the Forty Hours began as a defense against wars and other calamities.
For example, way back in 1537 in the city of Milan, Italy, the city was threatened with the war between Emperor Charles V. of Germany and Francis I., King of France.
There was a Franciscan priest named Joseph Ferno' who promoted this Eucharistic Devotion. Is was his sentiment that this was the best means to appease the Almighty and in averting the threatening calamity.
After the priest and the people kept the devotion, peace was declared and the threat ceased. A short time later, the pope of that time, Pope Paul III, made a public proclamation about the Forty Hours Devotion.
By His authority, he proclaimed these same sentiments and made the Forty Hours Devotion public and approved by the Church.
In the past few years there has been more and more climatic events. And also, we all know that our country is currently at war.
We need this devotion NOW!
For our Church!
and
For our United States!
"Perpetual Adoration with exposition needs a great push.
People ask me: `What will convert America and save the world?"
"My answer is prayer.
What we need is for every Parish to come before Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament
in Holy Hours of Prayer."
Blessed Mother Teresa
Our Public Forty Hours Devotion
and
Private Adoration by our members
who are Our Forty Hours Adorers
Our Forty Hours Devotions
In 1997 we had our first public Forty Hours Devotion in a small mission Church named after our patron. It was a beautiful experience!
We want to express our gratitude to the pastor for inviting the Guild to celebrate our first Forty Hours Devotion. They continue to honor Jesus through the intercession of St. Benedict Joseph Labre by celebrating the Forty Hours Devotion annually on or near his feast day April 16th at St. Benedict's Church, North Hero, VT.
(A mission church of St. Rose of Lima's Parish.)
Our second and third annual 40 Hours Devotion was held at St. Clement's Eucharistic Shrine in Boston, Massachusetts. Father Benedict J. Groeschel, CFR has supported us with his presence and prayers by celebrating Mass, Holy Hours and by giving us spiritual talks.
We wish to thank the Director of the shrine, Rev. Peter Grover, OMV..
Over the years, he has become a special spiritual support and personal friend.
St. Clement's Eucharistic shrine has a web site:
click on the picture to visit
If you or your parish would be interested in learning more
about our Forty Hours Devotion
contact Timothy Hughes Duff at:
Our Forty Hour Adorers
We ask that our members (if they are able) to Adore Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament for Forty Hours each year.
This is private adoration and it is different from going to Mass.
Our Adorers spend time with Jesus to show their love for him.
This does not have to be done all at one time.
It may be in any amount of time that is convenient.
Receive our chaplet of St. Benedict Joseph Labre upon registration
scroll down and print the form below
Jesus has prepared us for our mission
(Next)
All rights reserved. No copy of our pictures may be made. Copyright (c) 2005 Guild of St. Benedict Joseph Labre.