Quarantore
St. Benedict Joseph Labre, known as the saint of the Forty Hours devotion.
I slept in this morning since my old man’s illness is making a comeback. I intended to go to the Traditional Mass at St. Augustine’s, yet remembered St. Agnes is closing the Forty Hours devotion today. After the noon Mass, I was able to linger for adoration, though not staying for the closing solemnities.
I grew up with the observance of 40 Hours devotion in pretty much all the parishes in the Archdiocese. The devotion fell by the wayside after the Council, and today is more or less supplanted by Perpetual Adoration in many parishes.
Thankfully the practice has never been discarded by St. Agnes. The 40 Hours signifies the time Jesus was believed to have spent in the tomb, making it fitting for the devotion to be observed in Lent. It is especially beautiful for Laetare Sunday, as the Church is decorated appropriately with flowers, candles and rose altar coverings. (The Blessed Sacrament, when exposed, should always have flowers and lighted candles.)
St Benedict Joseph journeyed from Church to Church in Rome during the Forty Hours, spending entire days in adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. I believe I felt his presence today.
Sometimes, I don’t want Lent to end, just as I didn’t want to leave the Blessed Sacrament this afternoon. Nothing in life so satiates the soul as penance and the Eucharist, the foretaste of Heaven. For those who have lost the innocence of youth, penance restores the joy that was lost with it.
Pray for me blessed father St. Benedict Joseph Labre, that I may return to my early love, through penance, adoration and prayer. Pray for all of those devoted to the Blessed Sacrament.
Click here for an explanation of the devotion.
