Bishop John Noonan | Diocese of Orland website

Three new men's fraternities at St. Mary Parish in Rockledge have completed St. Michael’s Lent, a 40-day spiritual exercise offered through Exodus 90. The program aims to help men grow spiritually by encouraging prayer, ascetic practices, and fraternity.

St. Michael’s Lent dates back to the 13th century and was started by St. Francis of Assisi after he received the stigmata. The period begins on August 15, the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and ends on September 29, the feast of the Holy Archangels: St. Michael, St. Gabriel, and St. Raphael.

Duane Frey has participated in Exodus 90 for three years and described this year’s focus as being “on spiritual warfare and the battle we’re facing.” He said, “The closer I get to Jesus and the more I work to serve Him in the Church, I almost now anticipate attacks.” Frey explained that participants became more aware of good and evil influences through Scripture readings such as those from St. Paul’s letters, prayers, and disciplines.

“It also brings attention to our guardian angel. We are all assigned a guardian angel and should not be afraid to commune and seek their protection, and offer praise and thanksgiving for them,” Frey said. He acknowledged that maintaining practices like cold showers, fasting twice per week, and a 2 a.m. holy hour is challenging but rewarding: “Having this recognition of good and the evil that’s pulling us in one direction or another has been rewarding for me.”

Frey served 33 years in the Air Force with seven deployments and said his military background contributed to his attraction to St. Michael: “This figure of strength is natural for me. I am naturally drawn to that type of imagery.” His experience with Exodus 90 led him to help start three fraternities at his parish this year.

Javier Nieves joined one fraternity seeking a deeper relationship with Christ despite already being active in church life. He said participating in St. Michael’s Lent keeps him focused on God throughout each day: “(St. Michael’s Lent) gives you the strength to face all the atrocities we face on a daily basis,” he said. “It shows you there’s a bigger power; that you’re not alone.”

Nieves added: “It empowers us as men to lead our families to a better Christian life, a closer Christian life with God. The empowerment we receive by St. Michael taught us that we’re not alone — that with him and God we can win any fight we encounter. We don’t have to be afraid of anything.” Nieves credited God and St. Michael for protecting him during his service in both the Navy and Coast Guard.

Rodney Philgren also took part in Exodus 90 this year after being attracted by its sustainable structure: “When you say ‘yes’ you don’t know what the Lord has in store. For me it was the obedience and discipline,” he said.

Philgren noted learning more about angels during this process: “That simple awareness, even looking at nature from the St. Francis perspective – how God put His hand on all of this we’re blessed to be a part of... It tells me I’m not in this alone.” He continued: “Just saying the words, ‘St. Michael, help me right now. I’m feeling weak.’ To be able to call upon him when I didn’t for the past 55 years is brand new to me.”

He expressed appreciation for continuing growth through Exodus 90 alongside other Catholic men at his parish: “given (him) comfort and confidence to move forward.”

St. Mary Parish is part of the Diocese of Orlando, which was established in 1968 and currently includes 79 parishes across several counties under Bishop James Noonan's leadership.