“St. Michael’s Lent” is a beautiful devotion in honor of St. Michael the Archangel. It is a forty-day period of fasting, prayer, and penance—a miniature Lent, you might say—that runs from the Feast of the Assumption on August 15th to the great archangel’s feast day on September 29th.
This devotion comes to us from the life of St. Francis of Assisi, who was deeply devoted to St. Michael and the angels. He practiced this “Lent” himself, as mentioned in St. Bonaventure’s famous biography of him and in The Little Flowers of St. Francis, a collection of stories about the early Franciscans.
St. Michael’s Lent, in fact, forms the backdrop to one of the most famous events in the life of St. Francis. A couple years before his death, the saint was inspired to spend St. Michael’s Lent on a certain mountain called La Verna. Here, close to the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross (September 14th), he received the wounds of Our Lord’s Passion in his own body: the stigmata. The Franciscans celebrate St. Francis’ reception of the stigmata with a feast on September 17th.
Saint Francis Receiving the Stigmata by El Greco
St. Michael’s Lent, like the original Lent, excludes Sundays (and, we presume, feast days—there aren’t strict rules since it is a devotion rather than an obligation).
We should all foster devotion to St. Michael, our great helper and defender in our battle with the devil. Practicing St. Michael’s Lent is a great way to do it—but don’t be intimidated, you can practice it in whatever way and to whatever extent you can! Even a little given with love and devotion has measureless value in the eyes of God and His angels.
Remind yourself to invoke St. Michael’s powerful intercession with this stunning St. Michael’s Lunette Wall Plaque. Wielding a sharpened sword and the legendary scales of justice, Archangel Michael spreads his wings to take his place of honor as Christ comes to avenge His Church. This scaled wall lunette is a replica of a coveted early Renaissance work, and is cast in quality designer resin and hand-painted, to replicate the della Robbia’s traditional blue and ancient ivory stone finish. An impressive piece for your home and a striking tribute to the Prince of Angels. Get yours today at The Catholic Company!
