Adore the Lord in the Most Blessed Sacrament during 40 Hours Devotion from December 6-8, 2023
The 40 Hours Devotion has been widely celebrated in the Diocese of Arlington since the diocese was established in 1974. That Eucharistic mindset continues with a 40 Hours Devotion starting on Wednesday, December 6, the Feast Day of Saint Nicholas (and the anniversary day of when Pope Francis granted Saint Mary the title of Basilica in 2017). Click here to sign up to adore the Lord in the Most Blessed Sacrament during Dec. 6-8, 2023.
Here is the schedule:
Wednesday, December 6: Feast of Saint Nicholas and our Basilica naming anniversary. 40 Hours Devotion opens with the 12:10 p.m. Mass, followed by Exposition/Adoration. Confessions, as usual, following the 12:10 p.m. Mass, as well as recitation of the Divine Mercy Chaplet. A Holy Hour starts at 7 p.m. with sung Vespers. Confessions, as usual, starting at 7 p.m.
Exposition continues throughout the day and night.
Thursday, December 7: Memorial of Saint Ambrose. 40 Hours Exposition/Adoration continues, interrupted only by Masses at 6:30 a.m., 8 a.m. and 12:10 p.m. Confessions will be heard following the 12:10 p.m. Mass, as well as recitation of the Divine Mercy Chaplet.
Exposition continues throughout the day and night.
Friday, December 8: Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary (a Holy Day of Obligation). 40 Hours Exposition/Adoration continues. PLEASE NOTE: The conclusion of the 40 Hours Devotion will occur earlier than planned. More than 40 hours will have concluded by the 8 a.m. Mass on December 8, so Benediction will now occur at 7:45 a.m., right before the 8 a.m. Mass. Due to the extraordinary visit of Bishop Burbidge on Dec. 8 — he will be presiding at a Basilica School Mass at 9:15 a.m. and, with all the Basilica priests heading with him to the School to participate in the campus blessing by the Bishop that morning after the School Mass — it was decided to end the 40 Hours Devotion with benediction right before the 8 a.m. Mass.
Please also note that, because Dec. 8 is a Holy Day of Obligation, all are invited to attend one of the following Masses: 6:30 a.m., 8 a.m., 12:10 p.m., 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.
For the 40 Hours Devotion, parishioners will only be able to sign up via Sign-Up Genius by clicking here. Those who cannot sign up that way need to go to the parish front office, 313 Duke Street, and share with the receptionist their name and when they are available to adore the Lord. Or call the Parish Office at 703.836.4100.
At least two people need to be present at every hour. Click here to read a guide to adoration produced by the Diocese of Arlington.
