St. Francis Solanus Church epicenter of 40-day observation of prayer and penance
Quincy As Easter approaches in the spring, the faithful are generally aware of Lent.
Currently, there is also the commemoration and observance of St. Michael’s Lent, which is perhaps a lesser-known period of penance and prayer.
It started on August 15, which is a Holy Day of Obligation and the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Catholic Church.
Pastor Steven Arisman of St. Francis Solanus Church clarified that it is the feast day on which Mary is assumed into heaven. It is a gift from God. We think she should be spared from the corruption of death and rotting here on earth because she was born without sin. Thus, she is taken straight to heaven.
On September 29, the Feast Day of the Archangels Michael, Raphael, and Gabriel, the 40-day span comes to a close.
According to parishioner John McDowell of St. Francis Solanus, St. Francis of Assisi created St. Michael’s Lent in the 12th and 13th centuries. He was, of course, a very loyal individual. He became aware that he was spiritually ambivalent at this time of year.
Recently, McDowell and Aaron Kerkhoff, a fellow parishioner, met with Muddy River News. Additionally, both are a part of Exodus 90, a global organization of all men in the Catholic tradition of fraternity, or the support of other men, active prayer, and aestheticism, or spiritual development.
Members support one another on their journey by meeting once a week and communicating one-on-one every day, usually with a fellow member known as an anchor. They are being guided during St. Michael’s Lent by that support.
As children, we didn’t really know much about St. Michael’s Lent, Kerkhoff revealed. In the last few years, we become aware of it. I like to refer to it as a type of training.
According to Kerkhoff, it’s similar to going to the gym to work out. One technique to train to become closer to God is via aesthetics.
Saying no to some things and being able to rejoice at the end is what it’s all about. Because feasting and fasting together are central to Catholicism.
Many people abstain from eating or give up something in observance of St. Michael’s Lent. Many avoid online diversions and social media. For instance, Kerkhoff and McDowell will not even be able to view the interview they had with MRN.
Three years ago, McDowell adds, a tiny group of maybe five or six males participated. Last year, that number shot up to twelve. There are presently 20 men taking part this year. He believes that 50 guys have participated in Exodus in one way or another in the Quincy region.
McDowell continued, “We’re just trying to spread the word about what it is and say it’s something to consider and pray about.”
St. Michael’s Lent is not only for men, to be sure.
Additionally, Kerkhoff advises people to watch in the weeks that are left, even if they missed the beginning.
Anyone can take part. St. Michael’s Prayer could be recited daily. The Nicene Creed, perhaps. We don’t do it every day. Or give up something on Fridays, just like you would during ordinary Lent. Since Friday is the day when our Lord died, we do that on Fridays. Sundays are the day we attend church. As Catholics, that is what we do. But it’s so much more than that.
According to Pastor Arisman, a lot of people are interested in St. Michael.
I believe that Jesus is regarded as a protector of many things, particularly the bad that we come with so frequently in life, because he was the one who cast Satan into hell.
Pastor also notices the emergence of a more recent fascination.
Many people are becoming enamored with the church’s traditional customs after realizing their gifts. particularly the saints’ lives.
He used the example of St. Francis.
Seeing that he came up with the concept of St. Michael’s Lent allows us to observe the saints’ habits that aided in their spiritual development. We can only hope that it will benefit us if it did so for a saint as magnificent as Saint Francis.
According to McDowell and Kerkhoff, being able to concentrate on the spiritual side of things allows them to reestablish relationships with their own families.
For me, it’s been great,” McDowell said.
“It is our responsibility to lead our families spiritually,” Kerkhoff continued. St. Michael performed a fantastic job. I’ll be a better father and our community will be a better place overall if I try to be like him.
