Watch and Pray
let us Intercede for our Church before the Most Holy
“Unless the Lord build the house, in vain do its builders labor...”
On June 26-27, 2026, our Holy Father Pope Leo XIV will meet with all the cardinals of the Church in an extraordinary consistory.
During this time, let us come together united as one Church to support these successors of the apostles in prayer.
If what happens in Rome matters to us, let those days find us on our knees in confident prayer before the Blessed Sacrament.
We urge every parish that can do so, to host a Forty Hours Devotion--or at least extended hours of Eucharistic adoration--during this period of time.
The Forty Hours Devotion
a brief history
The tradition of spending 40 continuous hours in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament was developed as a refuge during a time of war and apostasy.
It was first practiced in Milan in 1527, in response to the Protestant denial of the True Presence, and in the wake of such calamities as the Sack of Rome.
Then the solemn veneration of the Holy Eucharist in the tomb at the altar of repose was for the first time taken up outside its usual context on Holy Thursday.
This practice expanded over the years, and was especially promoted by such saints as St Anthony Mary Zaccaria, St Philip Neri, and St Charles Borromeo.
The concept of perpetual adoration had its birth as this devotion came to be practiced continually throughout the city of Milan; as soon as one parish ended its devotions, another immediately began theirs.
How Parishes or chapels can participate:
Option 1
Option 2
Option 3
Option 4
Host a 40 Hours Devotion at your parish. You can find resources to support you here.
Offer extended hours of Eucharistic Adoration at your parish or chapel in the days leading up to June 26-27.
Offer an hour or more of Eucharistic Adoration before or after your regular daily Mass.
Consider hosting a vigil such as the Night of Love initiative by the Blue Army.
How Individuals can participate:
Option 1
Option 2
Option 3
Option 4
Volunteer to help organize a 40 hours devotion (or one of the alternates above) at your parish.
Commit to spending additional time in Eucharistic Adoration between now and June 27.
Pray the Novena to St. Joseph (found on our resources page).
Consider adding some degree of fasting to your prayers.