St. Michael Chaplet: How to Pray It, Beads and Prayers (Catholic Guide)
The Chaplet of St. Michael honors the nine choirs of angels and asks St. Michael's help against evil. It is a powerful Catholic devotion for spiritual protection.
The St. Michael Chaplet honors the archangel with nine salutations and invocations for protection against evil — prayed on a chaplet or rosary beads. It complements the short St. Michael prayer and is popular in spiritual warfare, exorcism ministry support, and parish prayer groups.
Pray St. Michael's Lent Novena (46 Days — Free)
For the complete daily St. Michael's Lent novena — St. Michael Prayer, litany, consecration, and a page for every day from August 15 through September 29 — use Catholic Bible Online's dedicated guide:
Open St. Michael's Lent Novena on Catholic Bible OnlineWhat You Need
A standard rosary can be used. The chaplet traditionally uses nine groups of nine beads (nine salutations), often separated by an Our Father bead. If your beads differ, you can still pray the nine salutations in order.
Opening (on the crucifix and first beads)
Begin with the Sign of the Cross, then pray:
- One Our Father
- Three Hail Marys (honoring St. Michael, St. Gabriel, and St. Raphael)
The Nine Salutations
On each Our Father bead (or at the start of each group of nine), pray one Our Father. Then on each of the nine following beads, pray the corresponding salutation for that choir:
1. Seraphim: 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.
2. Cherubim: 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.
3. Thrones: 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.
4. Dominions: By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Dominions, may the Lord give us grace to govern our senses and overcome our unruly passions. Amen.
5. Powers: By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Powers, may the Lord grant us defense against the deceits and corruption of the devil. Amen.
6. Virtues: By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Virtues, may the Lord preserve us from evil and from falling into sin. Amen.
7. Principalities: By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Principalities, may the Lord grant us grace to resist every conspiracy against holy souls. Amen.
8. Archangels: By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Archangels, may the Lord make us faithful in His holy service. Amen.
9. Angels: 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 next to eternal glory. Amen.
This chaplet is distinct from the short Prayer to St. Michael and from the Rosary. It focuses on the hierarchy of angels and asks St. Michael, prince of the heavenly host, to help the Church and each soul in spiritual battle.
Concluding Prayers
After the ninth salutation, it is customary to pray one Our Father in honor of each choir (nine Our Fathers), then the concluding prayer to St. Michael (texts vary slightly by booklet). End with the Sign of the Cross.
When Catholics Pray the St. Michael Chaplet
- Tuesdays (traditional day for angels and St. Michael).
- In times of temptation, spiritual attack, or anxiety.
- For protection of the Church, priests, and family.
- During September (month of angels) or Michaelmas (Sept. 29).
What This Prayer Means in Catholic Worship
Learn how to pray the St. Michael Chaplet step by step — opening prayers, nine salutations, concluding prayers, and when Catholics pray this chaplet for protection. Catholic prayer is never magic — it unites the heart to Christ through words the Church has tested for centuries. Whether prayed alone at home, with a parish group, or within the liturgy, this devotion opens the soul to grace and keeps doctrine on the lips.
When Catholics Pray It
American Catholics use this prayer at different seasons of life — before Mass, during Eucharistic adoration, in family rosary time, or in moments of fear and hope. The Church encourages regular prayer, but also spontaneous cries from the heart. If you are learning for the first time, start slowly: read the text, then pray aloud until the words become your own.
How to Pray With Reverence
Begin with the Sign of the Cross. Name your intention clearly — for yourself or someone you love. Speak the prayer at a pace that lets each phrase sink in. End with a moment of silence, listening more than asking. Combine private prayer with the sacraments: Sunday Mass and Confession when needed keep devotional prayer rooted in the life of the Church.
Scripture and the Communion of Saints
Catholic prayer always flows from Scripture and toward Christ. Many classic prayers paraphrase or echo biblical passages; others were composed by saints whose wisdom the Church commends. When you pray St. Michael Chaplet, you stand in a line of believers stretching from the apostles to your own parish today — one Body, many members, one Lord.