The Chaplet of St. Michael the Archangel
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 destinguishes nine such groupings: Saraphin,
Cherubim, Thrones, Dominions, Powers, Virtues, Principalities, Archangels
and Angels (Isa 6:2; Gen. 3:24; Col. 1:6; Eph. 1:21; Rom. 8:38). There
may be more groupings but these are the only ones that have been revealed
to us. The Saraphim is believed to be the highest Choir, the most imtimately
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 Commmunion,
ans escort of nine angels chosen from each of the nine Choirs. In addition,
for those who would reciete the Chaplet daily, he promised his continual
assistance and that of all the holy angels during life.
O God, come to my assistance. O Lord, make haste to help
me. Glory be to the Father, etc.
(Say one Our Father and three Hail Marys after each of
the following nine salutations in honor of the nine Choirs of Angels)
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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. Amen.
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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. Amen.
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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. Amen.
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By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir
of Dominions may the Lord give us grace to govern our senses and overcome
any unruly passions. Amen.
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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. Amen.
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By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir
of Virtues may the Lord preserve us from evil and falling into temptation.
Amen.
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By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir
of Principalities may God fill our souls with a true spirit of obedience.
Amen.
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By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir
of Archangels may the Lord give us perseverance in faith and in all good
works in order that we may attain the glory of Heaven. Amen.
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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. Amen.
Say one Our Father in honor of each of the following leading
Angels: St. Michael, St. Gabriel, St. Raphael and our Guardian Angel.
Concluding 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.