All Welcome
Introduction
Ballinasloe & Creagh parish, supported by various Church groups of the Greater Ballinasloe area (see below), will begin this special time of continuous prayer on the evening of Friday 1st May. All who wish to pray, or simply be with Jesus, present in the Blessed Sacrament, are welcome to drop in … be it for five or fifteen minutes, a half-hour, an hour or longer.
This time of continuous prayer will conclude with a short prayer service at 10 am on Sunday 3rd May.
What is the Forty Hours Eucharistic Adoration?
The Forty Hours Adoration is a special time of prayer, offering all who participate an opportunity to gather with the Lord Jesus in a spirit of loving adoration. It gives each participant time to draw close to the Lord.
Why undertake this 40 Hour Adoration at this time?
This particular weekend marks the beginning of Summer 2026, and is a time of new beginnings. We perceive it as a good time to give thanks and to invoke God’s blessing, not just on ourselves but upon the whole world.
We are also mindful of the many people of many nationalities who may like to avail of this opportunity for their own personal intentions.
What is the history of The 40 Hour Adoration?
No one knows exactly. There are historical records indicating that such times of prayer were encouraged by St. Anthony Zaccaria in Milan and St. Philip Neri in Rome as early as 1530. St. Ignatius Loyola, founder of the Jesuits, was also a strong advocate in the 1560s.
Why 40 hours? Why not 20 or 30 or 50 hours?
The number 40 has ‘sacred’ overtones for Christians and Jews. The rain during the time of Moses lasted 40 days and nights; the Jews wandered in the desert for 40 years before reaching the Promised Land; Jesus fasted and prayed for 40 days before beginning his public ministry, and our season of Lent extends over 40 days. Many Christians also hold that 40 hours passed between Christ’s burial in the tomb and His resurrection on Easter Sunday morning.
Is there a rota?
Yes (see below)!
The purpose of the rota is to ensure that Jesus has the companionship of at least one person for each hour.
If you would be willing to commit to an hour that has not been taken, or the second or third hour that another volunteer is willing to cover, please get in contact.
Youth Involvement
Persons under 18 years are welcome to paricipate but must be accompanied by an adult family or approved club member, i.e. in terms of Safeguarding best practice.
The Organising Committee are also hoping to host a special hour of prayer as part of the 40 hour adoration for young people. Details to be posted here later.
Organising Group (as of 6th April 2026)
Bertha Forrestal – 087 0986095
Michael Colohan – 087 7703805
Mary & Anne Corcoran – 083 3099586
John Coughlan 086 8600987
James Downey 086 3898022
Damien Farrell 085 8780443
Theresa Foley 086 3241269
Justin Harkin 087 6171526 (secretary)
Maura & John McLoughlin 086 8840441
Josephine & Deirdre Mulryan 087 4949124
Sean Kelly 086 1647970
ROTA
(c) … confirmed
FRIDAY (1st May)
6 – 7 pm
Maura / John McLoughlin (c)
7 – 8 pm
Maura / John McLoughlin (c)
8 – 9 pm
Celia Frehill (c)
9 – 10 pm
Paul Lobocki (c)
10- 11 pm
John Coughlan (c)
11 – 12 mn
John Coughlan (c)
SATURDAY (2nd May)
12 – 1 am
James Downey (c)
1 – 2 am
James Downey (c)
2 – 3 am
Justin Harkin (c)
3 – 4 am
Justin Harkin (c)
4 – 5 am
Justin Harkin (c)
5 -6 am
Justin Harkin (c)
6 – 7 am
Sean Kelly (c)
7 – 8 am
Sean Kelly (c)
8 – 9 am
Michael Colohan (c)
9 – 10 am
Michael Colohan (c)
10- 11 am
Michael Colohan (c)
11 – 12 midday
Maura / John McLoughlin (c)
12 – 1 pm
Theresa Foley (c)
1 – 2 pm
Theresa Foley (c)
2 – 3 pm
Theresa Foley (c)
3 – 4 pm
John Coughlan (c)
4 – 5 pm
John Coughlan (c)
5 -6 pm
Celia Frehill (c)
6 – 7 pm
Josephine & Deirdre Mulryan (c)
7 – 8 pm
Paul Lobocki (c)
8 – 9 pm
John Coughlan (c)
9 – 10 pm
Maura / John McLoughlin (c)
10- 11 pm
Maura / John McLoughlin (c)
11 – 12 pm
Bertha Forrestal (c)
SUNDAY (3rd May)
12 – 1 am
Justin Harkin (c)
1 – 2 am
Justin Harkin (c)
2 – 3 am
Justin Harkin (c)
3 – 4 am
Justin Harkin (c)
4 – 5 am
Theresa Foley (c)
5 – 6 am
Theresa Foley (c)
6 – 7 am
John Coughlan (c)
7 – 8 am
John Coughlan (c)
8 – 9 am
Mary Corcoran & Ann Doyle (c)
9 – 10 am
Ann Doyle & Mary Corcoran (c)
10 am
Concluding Prayer Service
Participating Church Groups
Our thanks to representatives of the following groups for commiting to this prayer initaitive:
- The Legion of Mary
- St. Grellan’s Council of The Knights of St. Columbanus
- St Francis Prayer Group
- Ballinasloe & Creagh Parish Pastoral Council
- Ballinasloe & District Pioneer Youth Club
- Ballinasloe Faith & Fun Club
- Ballinasloe & Creagh Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist
- Creideamh Book Club
- St. Michael’s Church & Our Lady of Lourdes Church Altar Societies
Other prayer and church groups are most welcome to join us and to nominate a representative who will liaise with the organisers.
Related Enquiries
Please direct to Justin Harkin @ 087 6171526
Last updated
April 28th 2026