“In the writings of St. Francis, such as the Volterra text (Letter to All the Faithful) which is included in The Rule of the OFS, we are reminded again and again that Franciscans are called to be penitents, to pray and fast. For these reasons this ancient tradition is important to us. St. Michael’s Lent is a period of 40 days, honoring Mary and St. Michael the Archangel. It begins on the Feast of the Assumption and ends on The Feast of the Archangels.
[H]e wished along with the most faithful Brothers . . . to celebrate the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin (August 15) and then prepare himself by a forty days’ fast for the Feast of St. Michael (September 29). In common with the rest of the people of the Middle Ages, Francis nourished a special devotion to this Archangel, signifer santus Michaelis, the standard-bearer of the Heavenly Host, and the one who with his trumpet was to wake the dead in their graves on the last day . . . .”
(From: St. Francis of Assisi by Jorgensen)
From Jan Parker’s Ministers Message, Contemplating the Cross and the Lent of St. Michael of August 2017:
In my experience as a Franciscan this “second Lent” has not been widely practiced, but perhaps as Brothers and Sisters of Penance we should seriously consider its merits. My own resolve to enter this Lent has deepened, and so for me a 40+ day journey starts [August 15th]. I’m already trying to get my mind around the fact of Lent right here in the midst of Ordinary Time. I know I will be led, but it will be interesting to see just how this works out in practice. I invite you to consider this Lent, too, as a way to be united in prayer and action – but of course it is only one way among many.
Always, in the various ways that the Holy Spirit leads each of us, we remain united – one in our prayer and in our actions, one in our common Franciscan journey and one in our call to live the Gospel. For these bonds of fraternity, we are can be ever thankful! May the Cross which spoke to Francis, continue to speak to us and, in fact, be our very way of life (see Luke 9:23).
St. Maximilian Kolbe, and all holy Franciscan saints, pray for us!
Holy Mary, Mother of God, protectress of our Order and of the Americas, pray for our country, and for us, that we might bear your Son to the world!
Peace and love, (and Happy Lent!)
Your sister, Jan
Days for Franciscans to Remember
Noon August 1 – Midnight August 2nd, The Portiuncular Indulgence
August 2 – The Feast of Our Lady of the Angels
August 2 – August 10 Novena to St. Clare
August 11 – The Feast of St. Clare
August 14 – The Feast of St. Maximillian Kolbe
August 15 – The Assumption
August 15 To September 29 – The Lent of St. Michael
August 26 or 27 – The Seven Joys of Mary
September 8 – The Feast of the birthday of Our Lady
September 12 – Holy Name of Mary
September 14 – The Feast of the Triumph of the Cross
September 14, 1224 St. Francis receives the Stigmata
September 15 – Our Lady of Sorrows
September 17 – Feast of the Stigmata of Our Holy Father Francis
September 22 – Queenship of Mary
September 29 – The Feast of the Archangels
October 2 – The Feast of the Angels
October 3 – The Transitus
October 4 – The Feast of St. Francis
Other sites for more information:
What is St. Michael’s Lent https://www.catholiccompany.com/getfed/what-is-st-michaels-lent/
St. Michael’s Lent – A Period of Fasting Observed by St. Francis of Assisi https://aleteia.org/2019/08/14/st-michaels-lent-a-period-of-fasting-observed-by-st-francis-of-asissi/