America Needs Michaelmas 

In a world that seems increasingly influenced by the forces of Satan—from a rise in abortion and LGBTQ+ ideology, to waves of crime and violence flooding our streets, to political assassinations—what better time is there to invoke St. Michael the Archangel, the supreme foe of Satan? The feast day of St. Michael, often called Michaelmas, takes place on September 29 every year. It was once considered a central holiday in much of Christendom, with celebrations beginning in the fourth century and only falling out of practice in the early 20th century. 

If we wish to win the spiritual war for Western civilization, we must seek the intercession of St. Michael; and if we are to win the culture war here in the United States, the holiday must take up space on the calendar, with celebrations which promote our cause. Just as our enemies have become adept at creating new holidays and celebrations to push forward the agenda of liberalism, it is time for Catholics to revive the tradition of Michaelmas and adapt it in a way that can suit us in modern day. 

For many centuries, Michaelmas was a major holiday across Christendom. It occupied a position of such significance that it was regarded as one of the four “quarter days.” Quarter days consisted of Lady Day, also known as the Feast of the Annunciation, on March 25; Midsummer, also known as the Feast of St. John on June 24; Christmas on December 25; and, of course, Michaelmas.

These four feast days not only marked days of great importance within the Church but signified the four quarters of the year and times of transition. Quarter days were used to mark the end of terms of political office, terms of school, dates for the collection of rent, and the transition of the seasons. Michaelmas was the feast that marked the beginning of the harvest season of fall.

Part of the reason Michaelmas slowly became a less predominant holiday was because of the growing popularity of other harvest season holidays. In North America, Michaelmas was most notably displaced by Thanksgiving, which became a national holiday in 1863. The truth is that many of the traditions associated with Michaelmas find themselves echoed in the modern traditions of Thanksgiving. 

Large family feasts were common to both holidays. At Thanksgiving, we eat turkey, which is also the traditional meal of Michaelmas. In Britain, Ireland, and Germany, it was a roasted goose. Similarly, whereas at American Thanksgiving we enjoy a sweet sauce made from cranberries, blackberries were commonly associated with Michaelmas. Legend has it that when Satan was cast out of Heaven by St. Michael, he landed on a blackberry bush as he fell upon the Earth. Coincidentally, the end of September marked the time for the final harvest of blackberries for the year. 

To adapt Michaelmas for the modern era, some of these older traditions should be revived. But as our world has changed, our culture has become increasingly less agrarian. New traditions should be added to reflect this change and help differentiate this holiday from other harvest feasts. Today, St. Michael is commonly known as the patron saint of police officers, first responders, and military personnel. 

At my local parish, St. John Cantius, in Chicago, there is a Michaelmas tradition of celebrating an evening “Blue Mass” in honor of police officers and first responders. Mass is followed by a bonfire celebration on the church’s grounds. Additionally, last year I attended the first ever National March for Catholics in Peoria, Illinois, where there was a focus on the spiritual battle being waged against both America and the Catholic Church. These ideas can be blended with Catholic and American traditions of old to create new traditions for a modern American Michaelmas. 

A modern Michaelmas could be celebrated following this blueprint. In the morning, there would be a parade that served two functions. First, this parade should involve a Rosary Procession and a public display of faith. Ideally, such a procession would be led by a local priest. Secondly, this parade would celebrate law enforcement as the defenders of peace, law, and order. In the afternoon, families should gather for a feast in celebration of the holy day, just as was popular in the past. 

While the traditional food may be goose and blackberries, the importance would be in the family gathering more so than what food was served. Later in the evening, Catholics would attend a “Blue Mass,” followed by a bonfire with their local community. The mixing of old traditions with the new would help differentiate this holiday from Thanksgiving and other harvest holidays. While the mass adaptation and revival of these traditions will not come overnight, it is up to us to work with our local churches and Catholic communities to revive this once great holiday.

While there is still debate in some Catholic circles over whether to celebrate Thanksgiving as a holiday remembering the early Pilgrims’ 1621 feast with the Native Americans or if Catholics should instead celebrate the holiday in remembrance of the possible first Mass of Thanksgiving with Christopher Columbus and the Natives in 1492, or the Mass that took place at St. Augustine, Florida, in 1565, Michaelmas would be free of this debate as a definitively Catholic holiday.

Michaelmas should become a focal point in the movement against the forces of evil infiltrating both the American government and the hierarchy of the Church. St. Michael’s divine mission, assigned by God, involved protecting those who love God and leading the battle against Satan. 

As it says in Scripture, 

There was a great battle in heaven, Michael and his angels fought with the dragon, and the dragon fought and his angels: And they prevailed not, neither was their place found any more in heaven. And that great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, who seduceth the whole world; and he was cast unto the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. (Revelation 12:7-10)

Just as it is the role of St. Michael to fight the battle against Satan, so, too, should it become the role of Michaelmas to strengthen Christians—through community, family, and order—in our domestic war against the forces of evil. We, too, must fight this spiritual battle for the soul of our nation. Michaelmas can become the day in which we “rally the troops” in this battle.

Our culture is consumed by identity politics, which celebrates superficial identities. Let us take one day to celebrate our authentic identity as children of God and soldiers for Christ. By reclaiming our lost Christian holidays and recentering our culture around holidays that publicly bring glory to God and His saints, we build the opportunity for a more holy America. September 29 is here today, but there is always next year.