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First Steps - The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
With 7 days left until August 15th I thought it a wonderful opportunity to bring up and encourage a wonderful tradition and devotion within our Catholic faith, associated with the gift that is the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary on the 15th, St. Michael's Lent! While it has been gaining popularity with certain groups of Catholics in the past few years, through big names like Fr. Mike Schmitz in the U.S. and Frei Gilson in Brazil, it is still a relatively lesser known devotion.
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin - Martino Altomonte
What is St. Michael's Lent?
As described in The Little Flowers of Saint Francis by St. Bonaventure, St. Michael's Lent started off as a Franciscan tradition concieved by the founder of the order, St. Francis of Assisi, as a testament to his great devotion to St. Michael the Archangel & the Blessed Virgin Mary. It was actually during one of the first of these that St. Francis received his stigmata (During intense prayer he experienced a vision on September 17th, 1224, as he had gone up a mountain for the Feast of the Exultation of the Holy Cross on the 14th)
Just like the Lenten season it is 40 days (Ignoring Sundays), and starts on like stated above, starts on the 15th of August on the Feast of the Assumption, and ends on September 29, the feast of the Holy Archangels: St. Michael, St. Gabriel and St. Raphael, hence the namesake. Keep in mind though that St. Michael’s Lent is not a universally obligated liturgical season for Catholics. It is a private devotion, and its observance may vary according to local customs, spiritual direction, or religious communities.
Since there isn't a very specific way to practice it, there are a couple different recommended spiritual practices you can do. Just remember, like in the Lenten season, it is supposed to be a time of prayer, fasting, and penance. St. Bonaventure says about St. Francis: “Two years before his death, having begun a Lenten retreat in honor of Saint Michael on a very high mountain called Alverne, [Francisco] felt more abundantly than ever the softness of heavenly contemplation, the ardor of supernatural desires and the profusion of divine graces.”.
Spiritual Warfare
It is important to keep in mind that the enemy is always after our souls, and loathes any kind of prayer, but prayer to the one who cast him out of Heaven he must hate even more. My point being that it might be expected to face some degree of resistance. Just remember to trust in the Lord, and ask Mary and St. Michael to intercede for you especially, from any sort of attacks.
The path our world and country are heading in, it is certainly is important to pray for the intercession of the two saints who have a reputation for going against the enemy. Please pray for the state of the world, and for the souls of all who call it home. Imagine what it must've been like for St. Francis, who started the tradition in the first place.
St. Francis, pray for us.
The Archangel Michael Defeats Satan - Lorenzo Zucchi
St. Francis Embracing Christ on the Cross - Bartolomé Esteban Murillo
How to Practice St. Michael's Lent
Ways to observe & practice St. Michael's Lent include, but are not necessarily limited to:
Daily Prayer Ideas
Litany of St. Michael
Prayer to St. Michael
St. Michael Chaplet
Novena to St. Michael
Consecration to St. Michael
Waking up at a certain time in the early morning to pray the full rosary
Regular Confession & Mass attendance
St. Michael’s Lent (and Why You Should Do It) - Ascension Presents
"Then war broke out in heaven; Michael and his angels battled against the dragon. The dragon and its angels fought back, but they did not prevail and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. The huge dragon, the ancient serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan, who deceived the whole world, was thrown down to earth, and its angels were thrown down with it. Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: 'Now have salvation and power come, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Anointed. For the accuser of our brothers is cast out, who accuses them before our God day and night. They conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; love for life did not deter them from death. Therefore, rejoice, you heavens, and you who dwell in them. But woe to you, earth and sea, for the Devil has come down to you in great fury, for he knows he has but a short time.'" Revelation 12:7-12
Saint Michael, Defend Us In Battle
The Archangel Michael and His Angels Fighting the Dragon - Gustave Doré
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