Celebrating Michaelmas

 

Fig. 2. Michael the Archangel victorious in the Fall of Angels in the Yolande de Soissons Psalter-Hours (Morgan Library, M.729, fol. 404v). France, second half of the 14c.

The Feast of the Archangels or Michaelmas is celebrated every year on September 29th. And in 3rd Grade at my lovely school, this is when we enjoy our first big celebration of the school year.

Why Celebrate Michaelmas?

Well, first of all, I am a big fan of celebrations in the classroom.  In Mrs. Hinds' class, we know how to party.  See more about why, here.

But, we always party with a purpose.  As mentioned above, Michaelmas is the feast day of the Archangels, namely St. Michael the Archangel, St. Gabriel, and St. Raphael.  St. Michael the Archangel is always a favorite for 3rd grade boys.  

At our school, following the example and educational plan of St. Jerome's Academy, 3rd grade is the Medieval Year.  So it is also fitting that Michaelmas was a traditional harvest festival celebrated in Medieval times.

Michaelmas is a great welcome to the school year that ties into our Catholic faith and the historical time period we will be studying for the year.  By the 29th we have (hopefully) gotten into the swing of things with introductions to classroom procedures and routines and we can officially welcome in the school year.  What better way to do that than a celebration of courage?

St. Michael was known as the protector of humanity, who inspires qualities of courage, initiative, and steadfastness. In the fall, as we prepare for all the hard work ahead in the upcoming academic year, we take this time to honor St. Michael and pray for the courage to face our own challenges!

How to Celebrate Michaelmas

This year, in my class we are going to be celebrating in the following ways: 

We have been reading about Knighthood, Chivalry, and Heraldry.  Books we will read or have already read: 

The Story of Civilization: The Medieval World (TAN Books), Chapter 16: Knighthood & Medieval Warfare

St. George and the Dragon by Margaret Hodges

Catholic Children's Treasure Box: Book 18, St. Michael and Lucifer by The Maryknoll Sisters

Heroes of the Middle Ages, Chapter: The Life of a Knight, By Eva Tappan March

We discussed heraldry, it's symbolism and purpose and we made shields out of paper and cardboard to represent ourselves and/or our families.  We are also planning to make pennants to decorate.  (Pictures to come).  

We will set our table in a purple brocade, with purple flowers (Michaelmas Daisies) and baskets of harvest fruit and vegetables: 

Berries

Apples

Grapes

Cucumbers

Carrots

Walnuts

Blackberry pie or cobbler

WHY SO MANY BERRIES?? Well, legend says that when St. Michael the Archangel defeated Lucifer, he fell into a blackberry bush.  He then spit on the blackberries and cursed them to be sour.  So after Michaelmas, don't eat the blackberries!  (Meaning we better load up on them now!)

More about that story, here.

And then we will read aloud our "Class Code of Chivalry" we have been creating, sign our names to it, recite St. Michael the Archangel's prayer and let the festivities begin!  

Stations will include:

Flying our dragon kite (buy it here)

Making dragon paper airplanes (find it here)

Shooting rubber-tipped bows & arrows (I bought mine here)

Playing Quoits (I bought mine here)

Throwing the Javelin (Pool noodle wrapped in streamers, thrown through a grapevine wreath)

I'll add pictures after this year's celebration!! 

Find more ideas for how to celebrate Michaelmas on my Michaelmas Pinterest Board.

How do you celebrate Michaelmas?