Saint Francis and the 40 Days
August 15 to September 29
Saint Michael the Archangel is often pictured as Heaven’s warrior, with wings, a sword, and the look of someone who does not back down from evil.
Saint Francis of Assisi was gentle and humble, but he had a particular devotion to Saint Michael. Francis admired Michael as a defender against evil and as an angel traditionally associated with the care and presentation of souls before God.
THE 40 DAYS
In 1224, Francis observed a 40-day period of fasting and prayer in honor of Saint Michael, beginning on August 15, the Feast of the Assumption, and leading to September 29, the Feast of Saint Michael. He went to Mount La Verna in Italy for prayer and solitude. Franciscan tradition calls this the “Lent of Saint Michael.”
During this retreat, Francis reported experiencing a vision of a six-winged Seraph, one of the highest-ranking heavenly beings in Christian tradition, bearing the image of the crucified Christ. Afterward, he bore wounds resembling those of Christ’s Passion on his hands, feet, and side. These became known as the stigmata.
For Francis, the experience pointed him more deeply toward Christ and the Cross.
OUR OWN 40 DAYS
We all have our own battles: fear, temptation, anger, pride, discouragement, and the noise that can pull us away from God.
Saint Michael’s Lent gives us a chance to step back and refocus.
We can pray more, fast from something that has too much control over us, return to Scripture, practice charity, or face a weakness honestly. We can simply ask Saint Michael to pray for us.
We do not have to climb Mount La Verna.
We can simply begin where we are.
Saint Michael’s Lent is not an official liturgical season or a requirement of the Catholic Church. It is a voluntary devotion, especially associated with Franciscan spirituality.
More than 800 years later, the idea is still simple:
Step away from the noise. Face our battles. Turn our hearts back toward God.
⌨ ᴛʸᵖⁱⁿᵍ ᴏᵘᵗ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ʙˡᵘᵉ ᵈᵃʳᵉᵐ ᵐᵘˢⁱᶜ ᵇˡᵒᵍ