St. Michael's Lent/Michaelmas

“My sons, we are drawing nigh to our forty days’ fast of St. Michael the Archangel; and I firmly believe that it is the will of God that we keep this fast in the mountain of Alvernia, the which by Divine dispensation hath been made ready for us, to the end that we may, through penance, merit from Christ the consolation of consecrating that blessed mountain to the honor and glory of God and of His glorious mother, the Virgin Mary, and of the holy angels.” St. Francis of Assisi

The words above were spoken by the great reformer of the 13th Century in a collection of his stories called The Little Flowers of St. Francis. Two years prior to his death, St. Francis, along with a few of his closet brothers journeyed to Mount La Verna for a period of fasting and prayer on the mountain. Recorded by St. Bonaventure, St. Francis was drawn to the mountain “after many and varied toils unto a high mountain apart, that is called Mount Alverna. When, according unto his wont he began to keep a Lent there, fasting, in honor of St. Michael Archangel, he was filled unto overflowing, and as never before, with the sweetness of heavenly contemplation.”

This fast began on August 15th (Feast of Mary’s Assumption) to his actual feast day in the church September 29th. This St. Michael’s Lent has the same structure as the Lent we observe from Ash Wednesday to the Easter Triduum. This fast would spread among the Franciscans until the 18th Century. However, many Catholics, particularly those of the traditional rite, are reviving the ancient tradition and it is growing.

During this first St. Michael’s Lent started by St. Francis, he would receive the stigmata (wounds of Christ) on September 17th, just three days after the Exaltation of the Cross.

St. Francis’ experience teaches us the importance of detaching ourselves from the world and growing closer to him through, prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.

Exodus 90 is launching a St. Michael’s Lent which runs from August 15th through September 29th. Learn more about it here.

St. Michael stands at the ready to help us engage in spiritual combat. He is a powerful intercessor in helping us combat the evil spirits around us. St. Paul reminds us in his letter to the Ephesians about what we must be ready to defeat our spiritual enemies and St. Michael is our battle commander as we do not fight with flesh and blood but principalities.

MICHAELMAS

His feast day is originally known as Michaelmas. It was a Holy day of Obligation during the Middle Ages. Like Easter, we mark the 40th day with a feast of the completion of Lent.

The day is marked with Mass in Latin Rite in many in the traditional liturgy. In addition to a solemn Mass, it is also celebrated. Here’s how we can celebrate the feast

Blackberries

It is also a day where blackberries are eaten. According to an ancient legend, Lucifer landed in a blackberry bush, which he would curse and spit on. Just be sure it is picked before the feast day. Get a blackberry flavored wine or put it on top of an angel food cake with the whipped cream. Heck, have some with oatmeal to kick off the feast day.

Goose and Carrots

There is also a tradition of having a goose and carrots on the feast of Michaelmas. This is in season in Britain during late September. Bagged of frozen carrots count. An alternative is rotisserie chicken, hot and fresh from the supermarket. Be sure to invite family, friends, and even those in young adult or bible groups to the feast.

Thank a Police Officer/Soldier

It’s a no brainer that St. Michael is the patron saint of police officers and soldiers (yes, Marines count). Be sure to leave an angel food cake at a police station near you to thank the men and women in blue for their steadfast courage, sacrifice, and protecting the community. Leave an explanation and a brief history of the feast.

As for our men and women serving in the armed forces, be sure to write a letter, send them a medal of St. Michael and encourage them to ask for his protection.

Suggestions:

1)    Incorporate the St. Michael prayer at the end of your rosary, after Mass, when outside of abortion facilities, during times of spiritual combat, before driving to a destination, or during morning prayer. Why not an entire combination of everything?

2)    Do a combination of ways to celebrate his feast day above.

3)    Add the Chaplet of St. Michael to your prayer routine.

4)    Pray the Novena to St. Michael

5)    Participate in the Exodus 90’s St Michael’s Lent from August 15th to September 29th or use the same format as the Lent before Easter.

Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil; May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; And do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan and all evil spirits who wander through the world for the ruin of souls. Amen.