08/14/2026
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In the treasury of Catholic tradition, there are certain devotions that shine like hidden jewels—quietly passed down through the centuries, practiced by saints, yet largely forgotten by most of the faithful. One such devotion is St. Michael’s Lent, a 40-day period of fasting, prayer, and penance beginning on the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (August 15) and ending on the Feast of St. Michael the Archangel (September 29).
This devotion traces its origins to St. Francis of Assisi. In the year 1224, shortly before he received the stigmata, Francis entered into a deep season of prayer in honor of St. Michael the Archangel. He sought the Archangel’s intercession for purity, courage, and victory over sin, fasting from August 15 until Michaelmas. His discipline was intense, his focus single-minded: to prepare his soul for the heavenly battle and to unite himself more perfectly to Christ.
Although the Church does not obligate the faithful to observe St. Michael’s Lent, the example of St. Francis and the spiritual fruits of such a season are timeless. In an age when spiritual warfare is often dismissed or misunderstood, this devotion offers a remedy: a deliberate, Christ-centered, and angelically-assisted campaign against the darkness in our hearts and in the world.
St. Michael the Archangel is not merely a symbolic figure of good triumphing over evil; he is a real spiritual being, the captain of the heavenly hosts (cf. Revelation 12:7-9), defender of the Church, and protector of souls at the moment of death. The Church invokes him in times of danger, both visible and invisible.
The choice of St. Michael for a 40-day devotion is not accidental. Just as Lent before Easter prepares us for the Resurrection, St. Michael’s Lent prepares us for the feast of Michaelmas—a day that celebrates the reality of God’s angelic armies, the defeat of Satan, and the defense of God’s people. This devotion is, at its core, about training the soul for spiritual combat.
Because St. Michael’s Lent is a private devotion, there is no universal rule; however, drawing on St. Francis’s practice and traditional Catholic penitential disciplines, we can shape a concrete plan that blends prayer, fasting, and works of mercy.:
I. The Structure and Timing
• Begin: August 15 (Feast of the Assumption)
• End: September 29 (Feast of St. Michael and All Angels)
• Length: 40 days, excluding Sundays (following traditional penitential counting)
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II. Fasting and Abstinence
• Fasting: One full meal per day, two smaller meals not equal to a full meal.
• Abstinence: No meat on Wednesdays and Fridays (some choose to extend abstinence to all days except Sunday).
• Simplicity: Avoid sweets, luxury foods, and unnecessary snacking. Offer this as a sacrifice for the Church, for the conversion of sinners, and for your own sanctification.
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III. Prayer Commitments
• Daily St. Michael Prayer:
“St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle, be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil…”
• Rosary: Pray one full Rosary daily, meditating on the mysteries as spiritual armor.
• Angelus: Recited morning, noon, and evening to unite with Mary, whose Assumption begins this devotion.
• Scripture Reading: Focus on passages of spiritual warfare (Ephesians 6, Revelation 12, Psalm 91, etc.).
• Examination of Conscience: Brief nightly reflection to root out sin and foster humility.
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IV. Works of Mercy
• Corporal Works: Choose one act per week (feeding the hungry, visiting the sick, etc.).
• Spiritual Works: Pray for the living and the dead, counsel those in doubt, comfort the sorrowful.
• Offer sacrifices and intercede for those under spiritual oppression.
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Below is a suggested outline, adaptable to personal circumstances:
Daily Structure
1. Morning Offering & Invocation
“O God, I offer Thee this day through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, under the protection of St. Michael…”
2. Scripture (5–10 minutes) – Begin with Ephesians 6:10-18 in the first week, then rotate through other passages.
3. Angelus – Morning, Noon, Evening.
4. Rosary – One full set of mysteries daily.
5. Fasting Discipline – One main meal, two smaller meals; abstain from meat on appointed days.
6. St. Michael Prayer – After morning and evening prayers.
7. Examination of Conscience – Before bed.
Weekly Themes
• Week 1 (Aug 15–21): Purity of Heart – Focus on detachment from sin and self.
• Week 2 (Aug 22–28): Armor of God – Meditate on Ephesians 6, seek virtue.
• Week 3 (Aug 29–Sept 4): Spiritual Combat – Pray against temptations and for courage.
• Week 4 (Sept 5–11): Angelic Companionship – Foster devotion to the angels.
• Week 5 (Sept 12–18): Reparation – Offer penance for the sins of the world.
• Week 6 (Sept 19–25): Perseverance – Pray for final perseverance in the faith.
• Final Days (Sept 26–29): Victory – Offer thanksgiving, prepare for the feast of Michaelmas.
Those who observe St. Michael’s Lent with sincerity often experience a sharpening of spiritual awareness, a greater resistance to temptation, and a deeper intimacy with God. The angels become not distant theological concepts but trusted companions in the battle for holiness.
St. Francis emerged from his observance of this devotion with the wounds of Christ impressed upon his body. While few will receive such visible marks, all who enter into these forty days with faith will be marked interiorly—conformed more closely to Christ, clothed in His armor, and ready to stand with St. Michael and the heavenly hosts against the enemy of souls.
