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St. Michael’s Lent
Saint Michael's Lent is a time of prayer and fasting that lasts from the Feast of the Assumption on August 15 to Michaelmas (the feast of St Michael) on September 29. It’s origin can be traced to the spiritual practices of St. Francis of Assisi. It was his habit to fast and pray in honor of the Blessed Virgin and St. Michael for the 40 days leading up to Michaelmas.
A couple years before St. Francis’ death, he spent St. Michael’s Lent on Mount La Verna, and it was there that he received his famous stigmata — the wounds of Christ on his hands and feet.
There is no “official” way to participate in this optional devotion. Many of the fancy new phone apps, like Hallow and Exodus 90, are promoting various options. If you’d like to pray along with us, here is how we’re going to approach it this year.
How to Observe St. Michael’s Lent with Heritage Arts
St. Michael’s Lent lasts from the Assumption on 8/15 to Michaelmas on 9/29.
Fast and abstain every Friday for the duration. Fasting means only 1 full meal and 2 or 3 small snacks each day. All snacks, if combined must, be less than a full meal. Those younger that 14 or over 59 years of age are exempt. Abstaining means eating no meat other than fish.
Each day, except for Sundays and feasts, make the observances listed below. In total these will only take you about 20 minutes at normal speaking speed — perhaps half an hour if you adopt a slower, and more contemplative pace.
Light a candle in honor of St. Michael. Use just a plain candle (place a painting, prayer card, or printed picture of St. Michael adjacent to it if you like), purchase a St. Michael candle, make a candle by decorating a jar or pillar candle, etc.
Pray the Prayer of St. Michael. “Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the Devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly hosts, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan, and all the evil spirits, who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls.”
Pray the St. Michael Chaplet. (Click here to print a copy of these instructions) Make or buy a set of St. Michael beads, or simply pray the prayers — see below. When you get to step #11, the four Our Fathers in the name of St. Michael, St. Gabriel, St. Raphael, and our Guardian Angel, recite the Prayer of St. Barachiel in honor of the patron saint of Heritage Arts: “O powerful Archangel, Saint Barachiel, filled with heaven’s glory and splendor, you are rightly called God’s benediction. We are God’s children placed under your protection and care. Listen to our supplications and grant that, through your loving intercession, we may reach our heavenly home one day. Sustain us and protect us from all harm that we may possess for all eternity the peace and happiness that Jesus has prepared for us in heaven. Present to God the Father all our petitions, through Jesus Christ our Lord, together with the Holy Ghost, forever and ever, Amen.”
Click this photo to print a copy of the instructions
The St. Michael Chaplet Instructions
(Click here to print a copy of these instructions)
1. Make the sign of the Cross and say, “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, Amen.” Then pray, “O God, come to my assistance. O Lord, make haste to help me. Glory be to the Father, to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, forever and ever, Amen."
2. “By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Seraphim may the Lord make us worthy to burn with the fire of perfect charity. Amen.” Then pray three Our Fathers and three Hail Marys:
“Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one; for the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours, now and for ever, Amen.”
“Hail Mary, full of grace, The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, Pray for us sinners, Now and at the hour of our death. Amen.”
3. “By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Cherubim may the Lord grant us the grace to leave the ways of sin and run in the paths of Christian perfection. Amen. (Our Father, Three Hail Marys)”
4. “By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Thrones may the Lord infuse into our hearts a true and sincere spirit of humility. Amen. (Our Father, Three Hail Marys)”
5. “By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Dominions may the Lord give us grace to govern our senses and overcome any unruly passions. Amen. (Our Father, Three Hail Marys)”
6. “By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Virtues may the Lord preserve us from evil and falling into temptation. Amen. (Our Father, Three Hail Marys)”
7. “By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Powers may the Lord protect our souls against the snares and temptations of the devil. Amen. (Our Father, Three Hail Marys)”
8. “By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Principalities may God fill our souls with a true spirit of obedience. Amen. (Our Father, Three Hail Marys)”
9. “By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Archangels may the Lord give us perseverance in faith and in all good works in order that we may attain the glory of Heaven. Amen. (Our Father, Three Hail Marys)”
10. “By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Angels may the Lord grant us to be protected by them in this mortal life and conducted in the life to come to Heaven. Amen. (Our Father, Three Hail Marys)”
11. Pray Four Our Fathers — one in honor of each of the following Angels: St. Michael, St. Gabriel, St. Raphael, and our Guardian Angel.
12. Final prayers on the Medallion: “O glorious prince St. Michael, chief and commander of the heavenly hosts, guardian of souls, vanquisher of rebel spirits, servant in the house of the Divine King and our admirable guide, you who shine with excellence and superhuman virtue deliver us from all evil, who turn to you with confidence and enable us by your gracious protection to serve God more and more faithfully every day.
Pray for us, O glorious St. Michael, Prince of the Church of Jesus Christ, that we may be made worthy of His promises.
Almighty and Everlasting God, Who, by a prodigy of goodness and a merciful desire for the salvation of all men, has appointed the most glorious Archangel St. Michael Prince of Your Church, make us worthy, we ask You, to be delivered from all our enemies, that none of them may harass us at the hour of death, but that we may be conducted by him into Your Presence. This we ask through the merits of Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen.”
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