Explore Michaelmas Lent: a 40-day Catholic devotion from August 15 to September 29—prayer, penance, and archangelic protection renewed for today.
Newsroom, August 18, 2025, Gaudium Press – For some years now, an almost forgotten ancient devotion has resurged, with significant implications for the spiritual battle: the so-called Michaelmas Lent. It is a period of 40 days that begins 40 days before the feast of Saint Michael the Archangel and has its roots in the Middle Ages, even linked to the figure of Saint Francis of Assisi.
What is Michaelmas Lent?
The team of the Exodus program describes this period as a time of summer renewal under the guidance of the heavenly angels, ideal for reflection and meditation in light of the biblical figure of Tobit, an Israelite exiled in Nineveh — now Iraq — faithful to the Lord’s commands amid a pagan culture and devoted to works of mercy.
The story of Tobit intertwines with the intervention of the archangel Raphael, who, disguised as a traveler, guides and protects his son Tobias on a journey full of spiritual dangers. Raphael delivers him from demonic attacks, frees his future wife, and restores his father’s sight, bringing healing and freedom to the whole family through the power of God’s grace.
Based on this biblical passage, Michaelmas Lent is presented as a time of spiritual struggle, a call to Christians to pay greater attention to the ways the devil attempts to manipulate the faithful, so they can respond more effectively to these attacks.
Dates and Duration
The devotion is celebrated between the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, August 15, and the feast of the Holy Archangels Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, September 29—a period resembling Lent. In 2025, Michaelmas Lent begins Friday, August 15, and concludes Monday, September 29.
Origins of the Devotion
Although there are few detailed accounts of its beginnings, sites like Fish Eaters, Exodus, or Crisis agree that the practice dates back to 1224 and Saint Francis of Assisi. The saint used to observe a second Lent each year, starting August 15 and ending on the feast of Saint Michael. During those days, Saint Francis intensified fasting, penance, and mortifications, aiming to praise God and persevere in virtue. It was precisely during this time, while on Mount La Verna, that he received the stigmata.
Blogger and writer D. L. Sayles recounts that, for Saint Francis, this period was an opportunity to purify his soul, a spiritual retreat that strengthened his prayer life and fight against temptation.
What is the Purpose of These 40 Days?
Advocates of this devotion agree that Michaelmas Lent is ideal for recovering prayer and penance during a time that culturally tends toward distraction. Exodus’s commentator and content director Jared Staudt states: “It is a time to renew ourselves, to take up the arms of our great spiritual battle. Saint Michael is the guardian angel of the Church, who cast Lucifer from heaven and protected the people of Israel throughout the Old Testament. To honor his role as our protector, the practice emerged in the Middle Ages to imitate his purity and angelic power through forty days of prayer and asceticism.”
According to Jamie Baxter, founder and CEO of Exodus, this spiritual exercise seeks for Christians to live “more isolated from the noise of the world and more in tune with conversation with the Lord,” remembering that “as followers of Christ, we are called to seek Him always, all year long and yes, even during the summer.”
Practices During This ‘Lenten’ Period
Although Exodus makes a special call to men, this practice is open to all the faithful. D. L. Sayles even recommends it for families with children, as it can become a pedagogical and festive experience: “After spending half of August and most of September abstaining from sweets and praying the Chaplet of Saint Michael, it is fun to recite Saint Michael’s prayer and hit a devil-shaped piñata with wooden swords to reach the chocolates inside and officially break the fast.”
Evangelization and Revelation
Michaelmas Lent can also be an occasion to read Revelation, a book that shows the constant action of angels and the closeness between heaven and earth. Jared Staudt invites: “Come and read with us this marvelous book of the Bible. It is full of examples of the protective and punitive activity of angels. Saint Michael is presented as the great leader of angels in his battle against the enemy, modeling how we too can overcome his attacks by being faithful to God.”
A Penitential Proposal
Recommended practices for living this period include:
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Read and reflect daily on the Book of Tobit.
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Dedicate 30 minutes daily to prayer.
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Offer a morning offering upon awakening.
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Conduct an examination of conscience before sleep.
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Sleep 8 hours daily and rise at the same time.
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Avoid social media or news during the entire Lent.
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Fast on Wednesdays and Fridays.
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Abstain from meat on those days.
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Take cold showers on Wednesdays and Fridays.
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Attend one hour of nighttime adoration on Friday.
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Have a weekly meeting with fellow Christians to share progress.
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Celebrate especially on Sundays.
Michaelmas Lent is an invitation to strengthen faith, purify the heart, and resist temptations with the help of the holy archangels. We are enveloped in a world with infinite spiritual attacks, and this 40-day period becomes an opportunity to refocus life toward God, renew prayer, and live with greater vigilance and courage. Like Saint Michael, whose name proclaims “Who is like God?”, each Christian is called to answer that question with their life, combating evil with the weapons of grace and perseverance.
With information from Religión en Libertad.
Compiled by Adele Wong.
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