40 Hours of Adoration
As part of the continued celebration of the 150th anniversary of entry of Blessed Basile Moreau into eternal life, the Congregation of Holy Cross throughout the world will unite in 40 Hours of Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament on the fonder's Feast Day in 2024.
For many years, dating back to as early as 1849, the Congregation had the practice of keeping constant vigil and prayer before our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament. It was one of the spiritual devotions closest to the heart of our founder, Blessed Basile Moreau.
“Among the practices of piety in use in our Congregation, there is one which I cannot recommend strongly enough because its faithful practice is the richest source of divine blessings for us and for our houses. I refer to the perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament." - Blessed Basile Moreau
For Blessed Basile Moreau's Feast Day in 2023, the Congregation made a similar 40 Hours Devotion, beginning with the Holy Cross community at Notre Dame de Sainte-Croix Church in Le Mans, France. Over 100 local communities and apostolates throughout the world participated. In addition, many individual religious and collaborators of the Congregation joined in for the time of prayer.
The Holy Cross community at Notre Dame de Sainte-Croix Church will once again initiate the 40 Hours of Eucharistic Adoration in 2024 on January 19 at 8:30 p.m. (7:30 p.m. UTC).
While each house and apostolate is encouraged to pray for its local needs, the Commission for Consecrated Life and Heritage has named three particular intentions for the 40 Hours Devotion in 2024:
- the canonization of our founder, Blessed Basile Moreau
- vocations to the Holy Cross family
- the new Congregational mission to the Diocese of Bougainville and a wider renewal of our missionary spirit and zeal.