How it works
St. Michael’s Lent is 40 days of prayer, asceticism, and fraternity.
It’s a chance to prepare for the Feast of the Archangel Michael (Sept 29) through an ancient practice of prayer and penance — used by even St. Francis of Assisi.
The most iconic spiritual exercise from Exodus — Exodus 90 — is a ninety-day journey through the Book of Exodus. We will start Exodus 90 on January 1, 2024.
🙏🏼 Prayer
- Silent prayer for 30 minutes daily (learn how here)
- Make two holy hours each week
- Read/listen to a daily passage on the Exodus app from the Book of Revelation and a reflection to go deeper into the reading (sneak peak of Day One here).
- Make a morning offering (learn how here).
- Make a nightly examen (learn how here).
- Celebrate the Lord’s Day as a ‘little Easter’
Why?
As men, we are called to participate in the headship of Jesus Christ. Are you the spiritual leader you need to be? Should your friends and family trust the decisions you make? Will you lead them where the Lord is calling in good times and in bad? Without a life firmly rooted in prayer, it’s impossible. It’s time to start prioritizing prayer in our daily lives, so that we can grow in the knowledge and love of God.
During St. Michael’s Lent, you will build up a habit of daily prayer. You will commit to a holy hour each day. If you can’t do an entire hour on a given day, do as much as you can, with a minimum of twenty minutes of silent prayer time. In addition, you will read through the book of Revelation, and the daily scripture will be accompanied by a reflection. The reflection will help you enter into the story, understand where you are in the journey, and lead you into your conversation with the Lord.
🚿 Asceticism
- No meat on Wednesdays and Fridays
- Observe Wednesdays and Fridays as days of penance (each week we’ll provide a different way for you to observe this)
- Abstain from internet browsing and video games
- Avoid unnecessary smartphone use
Why?
The ascetic practices laid out in St. Michael’s Lent help men to detach from the things of the world. We say no to small things in order to say yes to the big things that God calls us to!
Asceticism is not about proving something to yourself or to others, and it is most certainly not about earning God’s grace. Though it makes St. Michael’s Lent distinct, it is not the point. Acts of asceticism are a means to a much greater end: union with God and with those he has entrusted to our care.
A man living out the ascetic practices without living the disciplines for prayer and fraternity would be doing something, but he would not be doing this spiritual exercise. Exodus programs are an exercise in prayer, asceticism, and fraternity!
💪🏼 Fraternity
- Attend Weekly Fraternity Meetings
- Check-in with your Anchor daily
- Read more about the importance of fraternity here
- How to Invite friends to join you
Why?
The life that Jesus Christ models for us from Bethlehem to Calvary is filled with true community.
Many men have buddies with whom they can drink beer and watch sports. But, very few men have true brothers. Men who truly know them and with whom they can be honest and vulnerable.
During St. Michael’s Lent you will form a fraternity with 5-7 other men. And one of those men will be your anchor with whom you will check in each day. The fraternity exists to support, encourage, challenge, and show mercy! What you will find is that St. Michael’s Lent is unlike most small groups or Bible studies. It’s not about what you know, it’s about being real and authentic with others who are craving the same.
👉 Lastly:
St. Michael’s Lent is challenging, but do not be afraid. There’s no such thing as a perfect attempt at any Exodus spiritual exercise.
More than 100,000 Exodus men have come before you. And tens of thousands of men from all over the world are on the road right now, praying and sacrificing for the intentions of the world.
Whether or not Exodus is for you, we pray that God gives you the graces you need to become the man you have been called to be for Jesus Christ, the Church, and for our time. Be assured of our team’s daily prayers and sacrifices for you and those that you love, and know that all Exodus men are praying for you too.
What to Expect
Listen Now: Day One of St. Michael’s Lent
This is a sneak preview of the app reflection for Day One of St. Michael’s Lent from Exodus. Join the waitlist now by downloading the Exodus app.
How to invite your friends to join you
Man, created to live in the image and likeness of God, is called to unity, for God himself is eternally a unity of persons, the Trinity. As Christian men, we belong to something much bigger than ourselves: the body of Christ. Somehow, we’ve forgotten this in our culture and replaced the good of fraternity with the fairytale of the self-made man.
Course Syllabus and Reading List
To accompany men journeying through St. Michael’s Lent, Exodus is offering a series of live talks on the nature of spiritual warfare. Let’s face it, we are in the middle of this battle whether we are aware of it or not.
Share the Freedom!
Free Promo Tools!
Men who use these tools are known to have at least a 2x effect on bringing men into a spiritual exercise from Exodus. Use these free tools to help spread the message about St. Michael’s Lent in your community!
Free 7-day Trial
Men save $300 on average by joining Exodus
The first seven days of the Exodus app are free. On Day 8, you'll be invited to join Exodus+ for $90 / year or Exodus Basic $10 / month. Men who join Exodus+ gain a year-long roadmap for living different and becoming who God has called you to be.
