The Chaplet of St. Michael honors this great Archangel and the nine Choirs of Angels. God has created various choirs of angels; Sacred Scripture distinguishes nine: Seraphim, Cherubim, Thrones, Dominations, Powers, Virtues, Principalities, Archangels and Angels (cf. Is. 6:2; Gen. 3:24; Col. 1:16; Eph. 1:21; Rom. 8:38).
The St. Michael Chaplet was the result of a private revelation: The Archangel Michael appeared to Antonia d’Astonac, a Portuguese Carmelite nun. Saint Michael asked to be honored by the praying of nine special salutations to the nine celestial choirs of angels. Pope Pius IX approved this revelation and the chaplet in 1851. For those who practice this devotion, Saint Michael promised an escort of an angel from each of the nine choirs when the devotees approach Holy Communion. In addition, for those who pray the chaplet daily, Saint Michael promised his continual assistance and that of the other holy angels throughout life and, after death, deliverance from Purgatory for them and their relatives.
O God, come to my assistance.
O Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory be to the Father…
Pray one Our Father and three Hail Marys after each of the following nine salutations in honor of the nine Choirs of Angels.
Pray one Our Father in honor of each angel: St. Michael, St. Gabriel, St. Raphael, and our Guardian Angel.
Closing prayers
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.
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.