40 Hours of Devotion Mission at Mary Our Queen begins on Ash Wednesday, 2/18, at the 7 pm Mass, and concludes with Vespers and Solemn Benediction on Friday, 2/20, at 5 pm.
On Ash Wednesday, February 18, 2026, our parish will hold our Forty Hours of Devotion to provide parishioners with a period of intense prayer and begin the holy Lenten season of penance, fasting, and almsgiving as we collectively prepare for the great and holiest of seasons, Paschaltide. Forty Hours of Devotion can be thought of as a preached parish mission built around 40 hours of Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. These three days of intense prayer and devotion almost mirror the intense prayer of the three-day Triduum at the end of Lent. We are asking all parishioners to sign up for 1or more hours of Adoration.
Historically, the Forty Hours devotion began in Milan with the great reformer St. Charles Borromeo, and it spread throughout Christendom by the Jesuit fathers. In 2026, Mary Our Queen is pleased to invite Fr. Patrick Hough, S.J., a native of Lancashire, England, who joined the Southern Province of the Jesuits here in the United States after studying in Rome (where he met our pastor). Fr. Hough has studied, served, and lived around the world, but today he is the Director of Retreat Ministry at Grand Coteau Retreats in Louisiana, where he is doing excellent work for the Church. His spiritual insights and Christ-like presence will no doubt inspire us all.
SIGN UP for 1 or more hours of Adoration HERE!
Ash Wednesday, 2/18 ~ 7pm
Father Hough leads our Ash Wednesday evening Mass. Everyone is encouraged to attend. The 40 Hours of Devotion begins immediately following Mass with Solemn Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament.
Thursday, 2/19 ~ 7pm | Penance Service
We begin with the Divine Mercy Chaplet. Father Hough leads our Penance Service, with several Priests available to hear confessions afterward. If you need to view an Examination of Conscience guide, visit our RECONCILIATION website page found under the heading SACRAMENTS.
Friday, 2/20 ~ 12 Noon | Mass with Stations of the Cross afterward
On Friday, Stations of the Cross is after the Noon Mass only. (Please note: all other Fridays during Lent, Stations is after the Noon Mass and 5 pm.)
Friday, 2/20 ~ 5pm | Close of 40 Hours
Father Hough closes the 40 Hours with sung Solemn Vespers & Solemn Benediction.
Friday, 2/20 ~ Starting approx. at 6 pm | Knights of Columbus Lenten Dinner
Following the conclusion of our Friday Vespers and Benediction, our Knights offer the first Lenten Dinner of the season in St. Joseph’s Hall.