What is Nalpathu mani Divyakarunya Aaradhana? (നാല്പതുമണി ദിവ്യകാരുണ്യ ആരാധന)
Nalpathumani stands for nalpathu manikkoor (forty hours) in Malayalam. In many Catholic Churches worldwide, a very powerful Eucharistic devotion is being observed devotedly during the Holy season of Lent. In Kerala too there are many Catholic Churches that observe this Devotion very solemnly and piously for the past 150 years.
Who founded 40-hour Eucharistic Devotion?
According to Wikipedia, A Dominican Priest Rev Fr Thomas Nieto, A Barnabite Clergy St. Antonio Maria Zacharia, and his friend Brother Buono of Cremona, known as the Hermit, are suggested as the founders of the Forty Hours Devotion in the universal Catholic Church.
In Kerala in India, this Sacred ritual was started first by St Chavara Kuriakose Eliyas (Chavara Achan) in 1866 in Koonammavu Church. Then in 1867, it was introduced in Mannanam, Vazhakulam, and Elthuruth Catholic Churches. Thereafter it spread to many Forane Churches and monasteries. Today, though it is unfamiliar to all Catholics in Kerala, it is observed in many Churches with great pomp and gaiety like a Church festival!
During the 3-day Nalpathumani Aaradhana, the Holy Eucharist is exposed in a golden monstrance in the Church Altar for public adoration. People (including non-Christians) in large numbers throng to these Holy places and worship the Compassionate Lord Who is visible in the form a white Bread. And many people who participate piously in this spiritual ritual experience numerous blessings and miracles in their lives.
Hence all the people residing in and around the places of Churches where 40-hour Eucharistic Adoration ceremony is conducted, wait eagerly for this annual ritual to arrive so that they get a rare chance to have a personal vision of the Almighty Lord and to open to HIM directly their hearts and minds in silence..!
