Forty Hours devotion is a tradition that began about 700 years ago to recall the 40 hours traditionally remembered for the time Christ spent in the tomb after his crucifixion, said Father William Kneemiller. The tradition started in Milan, Italy, the pastor of parishes in Hills, Lone Tree and Nichols noted.
On March 31, at 8:30 a.m., a Mass was scheduled at St. Mary Parish in Lone Tree to begin Forty Hours devotion. Following Mass at Lone Tree, eucharistic adoration will continue for the next 20 hours until 6 a.m. April 1. Then, St. Joseph Parish in Hills will continue the Forty Hours throughout the day until 6 a.m. the next morning.
“Both nights we have a talk on the Eucharist at 6:30 p.m.,” he said.
Also, on the night of April 1, following a talk at Hills, a DVD on Fatima titled “The 13th Day” will be shown at 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. “It is one of the most spiritual movies made in recent years,” Fr. Kneemiller said.
Friday night (April 1) is also youth night for high school and college-age students who are invited to the Fatima DVD and a light lunch in the parish hall.
