Most Christians have never heard of this…
A secret “mini-Lent” that starts today and ends with angels in September. 🕊️⚔️
It’s called St Michael’s Lent and here’s why you might want to keep it… 🧵
🖼️The Archangel Michael defeating Satan
Guido Reni
1635
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From 15 August (Feast of St Mary) to 29 September (Michaelmas), Christians in the Middle Ages kept 40 days of fasting and prayer to honour St Michael the Archangel.
🖼️ St Michael the Defender Icon
© Copyright 2025 Monastery Icons
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Why?
Because Scripture calls Michael the Protector of God’s people (Daniel 12:1) and Leader of Heaven’s Armies (Revelation 12:7–9).
This season was about spiritual battle, protection, and renewal. ⚔️
📷 Joao Mourao
flic.kr/p/8txC3j
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It’s often linked to St Francis of Assisi, who kept these 40 days and it was during St Michael’s Lent in 1224 that he received the stigmata.
🖼️ Saints Michael and Francis
Juan de Flandes
c1505–9
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How to keep it today:
• Fast or simplify your diet
• Pray the St Michael Prayer daily
• Read Scriptures on angels
• Do acts of charity
📷 By Jacqueline Banerjee of Saint Michael Slaying the Dragon Satan.
Designed by Sir Edward Burne-Jones and manufactured by Morris and Co. St Margaret's Church, Rottingdean, Sussex (UK).
victorianweb.org/painting/bj/gl…
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It's not just Roman Catholic, Anglicans and Lutherans have also kept it.
And it ends in style: Michaelmas, once one of the biggest feast days in England, marking harvest & the start of the academic year. 🌾
📷 Weald & Downland Living Museum
wealddown.co.uk/museum-news/mi…
Maybe this year, late summer could be a season of renewal for you too as St Michael’s Lent ends “with angels” because 29 Sept is Michaelmas, the Feast of St Michael and all angels.
After 40 days of prayer and fasting, the Church joins heaven’s hosts in worship, praising God alongside the angels themselves. 🕊️⚔️.
St Michael Prayer:
🙏🏻⚔️
St Michael the Archangel,
defend us in the day of battle.
Be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray;
and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly host,
by the power of God,
thrust down to hell Satan
and all wicked spirits
who wander through the world
seeking the ruin of souls.
Amen.
🖼️ Mosaics of the four archangels on the east wall in the chancel, St John's Church, Warminster.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_John%2…
Collect for St Michael and All Angels
O everlasting God,
who hast ordained and constituted the services of angels and men
in a wonderful order:
Mercifully grant that, as thy holy angels alway do thee service in heaven,
so, by thy appointment, they may succour and defend us on earth;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
🖼️St. Michael and the Dragon
Raphael
c1505
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