St. Michael the Archangel Chaplet
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September 29th – Feast of the Archangels
ABOUT THIS FEAST
In the Church calendar, Sept. 29 is the Feast of the Archangels – St. Michael, St. Gabriel and St. Raphael. This celebration precedes the Memorial of the Guardian Angels on Oct. 2.
- St. Michael is the Prince of the Heavenly Host who defeats Lucifer (Revelation 12:7-9) and protects the Church from evil. Among the archangels, he appears the most frequently in scripture: Daniel, chapter 10; Revelation, chapter 12; and Jude 1:9. By tradition, St. Michael also appeared in southern Italy (Mount Gargano) in the 5th century and consecrated a grotto that has been a pilgrimage site ever since.
- St. Gabriel is best known for appearing to Zachariah and the Blessed Mother in the first chapter of Luke’s Gospel. St. Gabriel can also be found in Daniel, chapters 8 & 9
- St. Raphael is known from the Book of Tobit, chapter 12, as a companion and healer.
OTHER ANGELIC ENCOUNTERS
As we celebrate this feast, let us particularly invoke the patronage of St. Michael against the current pandemic. Toward the end of the 6th century, St. Gregory the Great witnessed a sign from St. Michael that signaled the end of a plague in Rome.
Also in times of danger and spiritual attack, St. Michael is invoked using the St. Michael the Archangel Prayer. This prayer was composed by Pope Leo XIII in the late 19th century after a frightening vision that announced the troubles of the 20th century.
Saint Michael the Archangel,
defend us in battle.
Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray;
and do Thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host,
by the Divine Power of God,
cast into hell Satan and all the evil spirits
who roam throughout the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.
ST. MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL CHAPLET
To honor St. Michael and all of the angels, let us pray the St. Michael the Archangel Chaplet for 9 days (as a novena) from Sunday, Sept. 20, until Monday, Sept. 28, as a preparation for the feast on the 29th. This chaplet honors each of the nine choirs of angels by praying an Our Father and three Hail Marys for each choir. It is a simple devotion to learn, and you can order St. Michael Chaplets online or through local Catholic shops like Rosary, Book & Gift in Lansing.
Note: The specific order of the nine choirs of angels is often debated, and yet—most importantly—this devotion recognizes all nine choirs and asks their assistance and protection. So don’t be surprised if the order of the choirs varies depending on the version of this chaplet.
ST. MICHAEL CHAPLET PRAYERS
V. O God, come to my assistance.
R. 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]
1. 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. 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. 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. 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.
5. By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Virtues may the Lord preserve us from evil and falling into temptation. Amen.
6. 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.
7. By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Principalities may God fill our souls with a true spirit of obedience. Amen.
8. 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 Paradise. Amen.
9. 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 hereafter to eternal glory. 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.
V. Pray for us, O glorious St. Michael, Prince of the Church of Jesus Christ.
R. 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 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 Your Divine Majesty. This we ask through the merits of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. - St. Michael is the Prince of the Heavenly Host who defeats Lucifer (Revelation 12:7-9) and protects the Church from evil. Among the archangels, he appears the most frequently in scripture: Daniel, chapter 10; Revelation, chapter 12; and Jude 1:9. By tradition, St. Michael also appeared in southern Italy (Mount Gargano) in the 5th century and consecrated a grotto that has been a pilgrimage site ever since.