Saint Michael Lent begins August 15

The devotion of Saint Michael Lent begins on August 15, coinciding with the Solemnity of the Assumption of Our Lady, and continues until the feast of the archangels on September 29. This 46-day period is a tradition of prayer, fasting, and penance intended for spiritual preparation.

While distinct from the Lenten season preceding Easter, this practice is rooted in the devotion of Saint Francis of Assisi, who reportedly observed 40 days of prayer and fasting before the feast of Saint Michael. The tradition has been passed down through his followers and remains a significant practice of popular piety.

Participants often engage in daily prayers, sometimes using specific guides or reciting prayers in Latin and Portuguese. It is common to pray before an image of the archangel with a blessed candle. The National Conference of Bishops of Brazil (CNBB) notes that Saint Michael symbolizes the struggle against evil and the protection of the faithful.