Have you ever heard of Saint Michael’s Lent?
Saint Michael’s Lent dates back to the 13th century when Saint Francis of Assisi received the stigmata on the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross (September 14).
The tradition, described in The Little Flowers of Saint Francis by Saint Bonaventure, honors Our Lady and Saint Michael.
Much like a "mini-Lent," the devotion lasts for 40 days (excluding Sundays). This period of prayer, fasting, and penance begins on the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (August 15) and ends on the feast of Saint Michael (September 29).
Saint Francis had a great devotion to Saint Michael and practiced this 40-day period himself.
“[H]e wished along with the most faithful Brothers…to celebrate the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin (August 15) and then prepare himself by a forty days’ fast for the Feast of Saint Michael (September 29).
“In common with the rest of the people of the Middle Ages, Francis nourished a special devotion to this Archangel, signifer sanctus Michaelis, the standard-bearer of the Heavenly Host, and the one who with his trumpet was to wake the dead in their graves on the last day…” (St. Francis of Assisi by Johannes Jorgensen)
Father Eric Anderson of Saint Stephen Catholic Church in Portland, Ore., began a video series leading the devotion.
The priest and parish pastor explains Saint Michael’s Lent in a great introduction:
Saint Michael’s Lent is a powerful way to increase devotion to and call upon the archangel for help and assistance, especially during these unprecedented times.
There are not any specific requirements, but here is a handy meditation booklet for guidance.
This document contains 31 meditation days, followed by a nine-day novena. It also includes multiple prayers to Saint Michael, including a consecration and the powerful Chaplet of Saint Michael.
With prayer, fasting, and penance, we can call upon heaven’s army of angels to cast the evil out of our country and world. Let us pray with fervor, through the intercession of Saint Michael, for Christ’s help as we battle the forces of darkness.