St. Michael the Archangel – Chaplet
The Chaplet of St. Michael is a wonderful way to honor this great Archangel along with the other nine Choirs of Angels. What do we mean by Choirs? It seems that God has created various orders of Angels. Sacred Scripture distinguishes nine such groupings: Seraphim, Cherubim, Thrones, Dominations, Powers, Virtues, Principalities, Archangels and Angels (Isa. 6:2; Gen. 3:24; Col. 1:16; Eph. 1:21; Rom. 8:38). There may be more groupings but these are the only ones that have been revealed to us. The Seraphim is believed to be the highest Choir, the most intimately united to God, while the Angelic Choir is the lowest.
The history of this Chaplet goes back to a devout Servant of God, Antonia d’Astonac, who had a vision of St. Michael. He told Antonia to honor him by nine salutations to the nine Choirs of Angels. St. Michael promised that whoever would practice this devotion in his honor would have, when approaching Holy Communion, an escort of nine angels chosen from each of the nine Choirs. In addition, for those who would recite the Chaplet daily, he promised his continual assistance and that of all the holy angels during life.
The Chaplet of St. Michael
Begin with the Sign of the Cross.
Then say:
V. O God, come to my assistance!
R. O Lord, make haste to help me!
V. Glory Be to the Father …
R. As it was in the beginning …
1st salutation in honour of the nine Choirs of Angels
By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir O Seraphim may the Lord make us worthy to burn with the fire O perfect charity.
R. Amen.
Our Father …
Hail Mary … (3x)
2nd salutation in honour of the nine Choirs of Angels
By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir O Cherubim may the Lord grant us the grace to leave the ways of sin and run in the paths of Christian perfection.
R. Amen.
Our Father …
Hail Mary … (3x)
3rd salutation in honour of the nine Choirs of Angels
By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir O Thrones may the Lord infuse into our hearts a true and sincer spirit of humility.
R. Amen.
Our Father …
Hail Mary … (3x)
4th salutation in honour of the nine Choirs of Angels
By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir O Dominations may the Lord give us grace to govern our senses and overcome any unruly passions.
R. Amen.
Our Father …
Hail Mary … (3x)
5th salutation in honour of the nine Choirs of Angels
By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir O Powers may the Lord protect our souls against the snares an temptations of the devil.
R. Amen.
Our Father …
Hail Mary … (3x)
6th salutation in honour of the nine Choirs of Angels
By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Virtues may the Lord preserve us from evil and falling into temptation.
R. Amen.
Our Father …
Hail Mary … (3x)
7th salutation in honour of the nine Choirs of Angels
By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Principalities may God fill our souls with a true spirit of obedience.
R. Amen.
Our Father …
Hail Mary … (3x)
8th salutation in honour of the nine Choirs of Angels
By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir O Archangels may the Lord give us perseverance in faith and in all good works in order that we may attain the glory of Heaven.
R. Amen.
Our Father …
Hail Mary … (3x)
9th salutation in honour of the nine Choirs of Angels
By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir O Angels may the Lord grant us to be protected by them in this mortal life and conducted in the life to come to Heaven.
R. Amen.
Our Father …
Hail Mary … (3x)
Say one Our Father in honor of each of the following leading Angels:
St. Michael,
St. Gabriel,
St. Raphael and
our Guardian Angel.
Concluding Prayer
O glorious prince St. Michael, chief and commander of the heavenly hosts, guardian of souls, vanquisher of rebel spirits, servant in the house of the Divine King and our admirable conductor, you who shine with excellence and superhuman virtue deliver us from all evil, who turn to you with confidence and enable us by your gracious protection to serve God more and more faithfully every day.
V. Pray for us, O glorious St. Michael, Prince of the Church of Jesus Christ,
R. That we may be made worthy of His promises.
Almighty and Everlasting God, Who, by a prodigy of goodness and a merciful desire for the salvation of all men, has appointed the most glorious Archangel St. Michael Prince of Your Church, make us worthy, we ask You, to be delivered from all our enemies, that none of them may harass us at the hour of death, but that we may be conducted by him into Your Presence. This we ask through the merits of Jesus Christ Our Lord.
R. Amen.
