THE CHAPLET OF ST. MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL: A SHIELD OF PROTECTION AND PRAYER
The Chaplet of St. Michael the Archangel is a powerful devotion that calls upon the protection and intercession of the leader of heaven’s armies. More than a series of prayers, it is a spiritual weapon, a source of strength in times of trial, and a way to honor the angels who serve God with unwavering loyalty.
A Brief History of the ChapletThe Chaplet of St. Michael originated in the 18th century, when St. Michael appeared to Servant of God Antonia d’Astonac, a Portuguese Carmelite nun. He revealed to her a desire for a chaplet in his honor, promising special graces to those who would pray it faithfully. Pope Pius IX approved this devotion in 1851, granting indulgences to the faithful who recite it with a contrite heart.
Why Pray the Chaplet?The chaplet is a way to honor St. Michael and the nine choirs of angels, asking for their assistance in resisting evil and growing in virtue. Through this devotion, we seek protection against spiritual attacks, temptation, and the snares of the devil, entrusting ourselves to God’s heavenly defenders.
How to Pray the Chaplet
Opening PrayersO God, come to my assistance.O Lord, make haste to help me.Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Salutations to the Nine Choirs of Angels
1️⃣ By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial choir of Seraphim, may the Lord make us worthy to burn with the fire of perfect charity.(1 Our Father, 3 Hail Marys)
2️⃣ By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial choir of Cherubim, may the Lord grant us the grace to leave the ways of sin and run in the paths of Christian perfection.(1 Our Father, 3 Hail Marys)
3️⃣ By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial choir of Thrones, may the Lord infuse into our hearts a true and sincere spirit of humility.(1 Our Father, 3 Hail Marys)
4️⃣ By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial choir of Dominions, may the Lord give us grace to govern our senses and subdue our unruly passions.(1 Our Father, 3 Hail Marys)
5️⃣ By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial choir of Powers, may the Lord protect our souls against the snares and temptations of the devil.(1 Our Father, 3 Hail Marys)
6️⃣ By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial choir of Virtues, may the Lord preserve us from evil and suffer us not to fall into temptation.(1 Our Father, 3 Hail Marys)
7️⃣ By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial choir of Principalities, may God fill our souls with a true spirit of obedience.(1 Our Father, 3 Hail Marys)
8️⃣ By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial choir of Archangels, may the Lord give us perseverance in faith and in good works in order that we gain the glory of Paradise.(1 Our Father, 3 Hail Marys)
9️⃣ By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial choir of Angels, may the Lord grant us to be protected by them in this mortal life and conducted in the life to come to heaven.(1 Our Father, 3 Hail Marys)
Concluding Prayers
1 Our Father in honor of St. Michael1 Our Father in honor of St. Gabriel1 Our Father in honor of St. Raphael1 Our Father in honor of our Guardian Angel
Final 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.
Pray for us, O glorious St. Michael, Prince of the Church of Jesus Christ.—That we may be made worthy of His promises.
Let us pray: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. Amen.
A Final ThoughtThe Chaplet of St. Michael is not just a prayer for personal protection—it is a call to stand with heaven against the forces of evil. In praying it, we join the angelic hosts in praising God, seeking His will, and drawing courage to live faithfully, confident that the great defender of souls walks with us in every battle.
A Brief History of the ChapletThe Chaplet of St. Michael originated in the 18th century, when St. Michael appeared to Servant of God Antonia d’Astonac, a Portuguese Carmelite nun. He revealed to her a desire for a chaplet in his honor, promising special graces to those who would pray it faithfully. Pope Pius IX approved this devotion in 1851, granting indulgences to the faithful who recite it with a contrite heart.
Why Pray the Chaplet?The chaplet is a way to honor St. Michael and the nine choirs of angels, asking for their assistance in resisting evil and growing in virtue. Through this devotion, we seek protection against spiritual attacks, temptation, and the snares of the devil, entrusting ourselves to God’s heavenly defenders.
How to Pray the Chaplet
Opening PrayersO God, come to my assistance.O Lord, make haste to help me.Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Salutations to the Nine Choirs of Angels
1️⃣ By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial choir of Seraphim, may the Lord make us worthy to burn with the fire of perfect charity.(1 Our Father, 3 Hail Marys)
2️⃣ By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial choir of Cherubim, may the Lord grant us the grace to leave the ways of sin and run in the paths of Christian perfection.(1 Our Father, 3 Hail Marys)
3️⃣ By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial choir of Thrones, may the Lord infuse into our hearts a true and sincere spirit of humility.(1 Our Father, 3 Hail Marys)
4️⃣ By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial choir of Dominions, may the Lord give us grace to govern our senses and subdue our unruly passions.(1 Our Father, 3 Hail Marys)
5️⃣ By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial choir of Powers, may the Lord protect our souls against the snares and temptations of the devil.(1 Our Father, 3 Hail Marys)
6️⃣ By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial choir of Virtues, may the Lord preserve us from evil and suffer us not to fall into temptation.(1 Our Father, 3 Hail Marys)
7️⃣ By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial choir of Principalities, may God fill our souls with a true spirit of obedience.(1 Our Father, 3 Hail Marys)
8️⃣ By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial choir of Archangels, may the Lord give us perseverance in faith and in good works in order that we gain the glory of Paradise.(1 Our Father, 3 Hail Marys)
9️⃣ By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial choir of Angels, may the Lord grant us to be protected by them in this mortal life and conducted in the life to come to heaven.(1 Our Father, 3 Hail Marys)
Concluding Prayers
1 Our Father in honor of St. Michael1 Our Father in honor of St. Gabriel1 Our Father in honor of St. Raphael1 Our Father in honor of our Guardian Angel
Final 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.
Pray for us, O glorious St. Michael, Prince of the Church of Jesus Christ.—That we may be made worthy of His promises.
Let us pray: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. Amen.
A Final ThoughtThe Chaplet of St. Michael is not just a prayer for personal protection—it is a call to stand with heaven against the forces of evil. In praying it, we join the angelic hosts in praising God, seeking His will, and drawing courage to live faithfully, confident that the great defender of souls walks with us in every battle.