The tradition of St. Michael’s Lent traces its roots to St. Francis of Assisi, who had a great devotion to St. Michael and is said to have started the practice in 1224. He and several of his brothers were fasting and praying in honor of the saint before Michaelmas. It was during this time that St. Francis received the stigmata on the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, Sept. 14.