St. Michael’s Lent – A Mid-Year Spiritual Journey of Prayer and Penance

St. Michael in Victory (Murillo, 17th c.)

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

Welcome to St. Michael’s Lent! We are excited to introduce a new spiritual initiative that will carry us from the Feast of the Assumption (August 15) through to the Feast of Saint Michael the Archangel (September 29). Some of you have journeyed with our community through Septuagesima70 (our Lent program) and Adventus30 (our Advent program) in past years. If you are returning, it is wonderful to have you back; if you are new, we warmly welcome you to this journey of conversion and grace. Together, we will strive to deepen our faith and discipline, drawing inspiration from the rich traditions of the Church and the powerful example of St. Michael’s Lent.

What is St. Michael’s Lent?

In Catholic tradition, St. Michael’s Lent refers to a forty-day period of prayer and penance from mid-August to late September. It was first observed by St. Francis of Assisi, who made it his custom to keep a second “Lent” each year from the Feast of the Assumption on August 15 until St. Michael’s feast day on September 29. During this time, St. Francis would undertake fasting, abstinence, and other mortifications to honor God and seek spiritual renewal. In fact, it was while keeping St. Michael’s Lent in 1224 that St. Francis received the sacred stigmata – a sign of God’s grace granted during his intense prayer and penance.

This devotional season is essentially a mini-Lent set in late summer. It comes as a response to the “long time between Lent and Advent” in the Church’s year – offering us a perfect opportunity for a spiritual reorientation in the midst of the Season after Pentecost. St. Michael’s Lent traditionally begins on Assumption Day and concludes on Michaelmas (the feast of Sts. Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael).

Why invoke St. Michael? As the commander of the heavenly hosts, St. Michael is revered as the great protector of God’s people – “Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle!” He is a fitting patron for our mid-year Lenten journey. Just as St. Michael battles evil and guards the faithful, we seek his intercession to help us fight our own spiritual battles: to resist temptation, grow in virtue, and defend the place of God in our lives.

How We Will Observe St. Michael’s Lent

Our St. Michael’s Lent program will follow the successful format of our Septuagesima70 and Adventus30 initiatives. This means a combination of daily prayer and meditation, moderated fasting and abstinence, and the flexibility to adapt penances to one’s state in life. Below is an outline of how we plan to live out St. Michael’s Lent, divided into two phases:

First Period (August 15 – September 19):

- Daily prayer and meditation, dedicating special intentions to St. Michael.

- Abstinence from meat on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.

- Fasting on Wednesdays and Fridays.

- No fasting/abstinence on Sundays or major feasts (Doubles and above).

- Optional extra penances in consultation with Fr. Withoos.

Second Period – St. Michael’s Novena (September 20 – September 28):

- Pray the Novena to St. Michael daily.

- Total abstinence from meat for nine days (Sundays and Doubles optional exceptions).

- Encouraged additional sacrifices during these days.

- Flexibility for those needing adjustments (speak with Fr. Withoos).

- Solemn celebration of Michaelmas on September 29.

Guidance and Encouragement

Embarking on this spiritual journey may feel challenging, but you will not be alone. Fr. Withoos will be available on our Telegram group to provide counsel, answer questions, and moderate penances if needed. Occasional video exhortations will also be provided to keep us encouraged.

Special thanks to Adam Paige and our dedicated team for making this possible.

An Invitation to Holiness

I invite each of you to embrace St. Michael’s Lent with a hopeful and generous heart. This is a time to step back from our ordinary routines and devote ourselves more deeply to God through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving – much like we do in Lent, but now under the banner of St. Michael. Let us encourage one another and conclude our St. Michael’s Lent together on Michaelmas with gratitude and joy.

In Christ and Our Blessed Lady,

Fr. Withoos (and the St. Michael’s Lent team)

Chaplain, IRIA Foundation