Chaplet of St Michael the Archangel: how to pray it

Beginning℣. O 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.

First salutation: the SeraphimBy the intercession of Saint Michael and the heavenly choir of Seraphim, may the Lord make us worthy to burn with the fire of perfect charity. Amen.
One Our Father and three Hail Marys.

Second salutation: the CherubimBy the intercession of Saint Michael and the heavenly choir of Cherubim, may the Lord grant us the grace to leave the ways of sin and to run in the paths of Christian perfection. Amen.
One Our Father and three Hail Marys.

Third salutation: the ThronesBy the intercession of Saint Michael and the heavenly choir of Thrones, may the Lord pour into our hearts a true and sincere spirit of humility. Amen.
One Our Father and three Hail Marys.

Fourth salutation: the DominationsBy the intercession of Saint Michael and the heavenly choir of Dominations, may the Lord give us grace to govern our senses and to master our unruly passions. Amen.
One Our Father and three Hail Marys.

Fifth salutation: the PowersBy the intercession of Saint Michael and the heavenly choir of Powers, may the Lord protect our souls against the snares and temptations of the devil. Amen.
One Our Father and three Hail Marys.

Sixth salutation: the VirtuesBy the intercession of Saint Michael and the heavenly choir of Virtues, may the Lord preserve us from evil and not suffer us to fall into temptation. Amen.
One Our Father and three Hail Marys.

Seventh salutation: the PrincipalitiesBy the intercession of Saint Michael and the heavenly choir of Principalities, may God fill our souls with a true spirit of obedience. Amen.
One Our Father and three Hail Marys.

Eighth salutation: the ArchangelsBy the intercession of Saint Michael and the heavenly choir of Archangels, may the Lord give us perseverance in faith and in all good works, that we may attain the glory of heaven. Amen.
One Our Father and three Hail Marys.

Ninth salutation: the AngelsBy the intercession of Saint Michael and the heavenly choir of Angels, may the Lord grant us to be protected by them in this mortal life, and led by them to the glory of heaven. Amen.
One Our Father and three Hail Marys.

At the end: four Our FathersOne Our Father in honour of Saint Michael,
one in honour of Saint Gabriel,
one in honour of Saint Raphael,
and one in honour of our Guardian Angel.

O glorious Prince Saint 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 guide, who shinest with excellence and superhuman virtue: deliver us from all evil, who turn to thee with confidence, and enable us by thy gracious protection to serve God more faithfully every day.

℣. Pray for us, O glorious Saint 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, hast appointed the most glorious Archangel Saint Michael Prince of thy Church: make us worthy, we beseech thee, to be delivered by his powerful protection 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 the presence of thy divine Majesty. Through the merits of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

SourceRevealed, by tradition, to Antonia d'Astonac; indulgenced by Pius IX in 1851 · Nine salutations, one for each choir of angels

The history of this prayer

According to tradition, Saint Michael appeared to a Portuguese religious, Antonia d'Astonac, and asked to be honoured by nine salutations, one for each choir of angels: Seraphim, Cherubim, Thrones, Dominations, Powers, Virtues, Principalities, Archangels and Angels. The devotion spread from the eighteenth century, and Pope Pius IX enriched it with indulgences in 1851.

The proper chaplet has nine groups of four beads (one for the Our Father and three for the Hail Marys) and four more beads by the medal. It opens with "O God, come to my assistance" and the Glory Be; at each salutation one Our Father and three Hail Marys are said; at the end come four Our Fathers in honour of Saint Michael, Saint Gabriel, Saint Raphael and the Guardian Angel, the prayer to Saint Michael and the closing collect. An ordinary rosary, or one's fingers, will do as well.

It is a private devotion, prayed above all in September, during the Lent of Saint Michael (15 August to 29 September) and on the feast of the Archangels. The promises attached to it come from the same private tradition and are not Church teaching.

Frequently asked questions

How do you pray the Chaplet of St Michael?

Opening versicle and Glory Be; nine salutations, each with one Our Father and three Hail Marys; four closing Our Fathers; the prayer to Saint Michael and the collect.

Do I need a special St Michael chaplet?

No. The proper chaplet helps with counting, but an ordinary rosary or your fingers will do.

What are the nine choirs of angels?

Seraphim, Cherubim, Thrones, Dominations, Powers, Virtues, Principalities, Archangels and Angels.

Chaplet of Saint Michael the Archangel

The history of this prayer

Frequently asked questions

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