St. Michael Chaplet: The Prayer of the Nine Choirs of Angels

The St. Michael Chaplet — also called the Chaplet of St. Michael the Archangel or the Chaplet of the Nine Choirs of Angels — is one of the most beautiful and ancient angelical devotions in the Catholic tradition. It honors Saint Michael and all nine choirs of the heavenly host, invoking their intercession and protection for the faithful on earth. This guide covers the origin of the chaplet, the nine choirs of angels, the structure of the prayers, and the remarkable promises attributed to St. Michael himself.

The Origin of the St. Michael Chaplet

The Chaplet of St. Michael has its roots in an apparition reported in 1751 by a Portuguese Carmelite nun named Antónia d'Astónac. According to her account, St. Michael the Archangel appeared to her and taught her this chaplet, promising that whoever prayed it with devotion would receive his continual assistance and the intercession of all the nine choirs of angels at the hour of death. He also promised that for those who prayed it daily, he would deliver from Purgatory nine souls of their choosing.

The chaplet was approved for use by the faithful and received a partial indulgence from Pope Pius IX in 1851, who encouraged its spread throughout the Church. Today it remains a cherished devotion among Catholics devoted to the Archangels and the angelic hosts.

Who Is St. Michael the Archangel?

St. Michael is the great commander of the heavenly armies, the archangel whose name means "Who is like God?" — a battle cry of fidelity to the Lord. In Sacred Scripture, Michael appears as the defender of God's people (Daniel 10 and 12), the one who contends with the devil over the body of Moses (Jude 1:9), and the archangel who leads the heavenly host against the dragon in the Book of Revelation (12:7–9).

The Church has long venerated St. Michael as the protector of the Church, the guardian of souls, and the guide of the dying. Pope Leo XIII, after a mystical experience in 1884, composed the famous Prayer to St. Michael that was once prayed after every Low Mass.

The Nine Choirs of Angels

Catholic theology, drawing on Scripture and the writings of St. Dionysius the Areopagite, teaches that the angelic realm is arranged in nine distinct orders, or "choirs," organized into three hierarchies. The St. Michael Chaplet honors each of these nine choirs in turn:

First Hierarchy

1. Seraphim — The highest order, these angels burn with the love of God and unceasingly cry "Holy, holy, holy" before His throne (Isaiah 6:2–3). They are closest to God in the divine presence.

2. Cherubim — Guardians of God's holiness and wisdom. Cherubim stood at the entrance to the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:24) and adorned the Ark of the Covenant. Their name relates to fullness of knowledge.

3. Thrones — Angels who bear up the throne of God and manifest His justice and authority. They are instruments of divine judgment and governance at the highest level.

Second Hierarchy

4. Dominions (Dominations) — These angels regulate the duties of the lower choirs, administering the governance of creation according to God's will. They manifest divine sovereignty over all things.

5. Powers (Authorities) — The Powers are guardians of the order of the cosmos. They resist the efforts of evil spirits and protect the universe against the forces of darkness.

6. Virtues — Associated with miracles and acts of grace in the natural world, the Virtues bestow blessings and strength upon the faithful. They inspire courage and holiness in souls.

Third Hierarchy

7. Principalities — Guardians of nations, cities, and communities on earth. The Principalities oversee the governance of earthly kingdoms in relation to God's providential plan.

8. Archangels — Messengers entrusted with the most important missions between God and humanity. Scripture names three: Michael (warrior and protector), Gabriel (messenger of the Incarnation), and Raphael (healer and guide).

9. Angels — The order closest to humanity and most engaged in our daily lives. Each person receives a Guardian Angel from this choir to guide, protect, and intercede for them throughout life.

The Structure of the Chaplet

The St. Michael Chaplet is prayed on a special set of beads consisting of nine groups of three beads — one group for each choir of angels — with a single bead before each group and additional beads for closing prayers. However, it may also be adapted for standard rosary beads.

For each of the nine choirs, the following pattern is used:

Salutation to the choir: A brief invocation honoring that choir of angels and asking St. Michael to intercede through their merits.
One Our Father (on the single bead)
Three Hail Marys (on the three small beads)

After all nine salutations, the chaplet concludes with:

Four Our Fathers — in honor of St. Michael, St. Gabriel, St. Raphael, and one's Guardian Angel.

A final prayer to St. Michael concludes the devotion, asking for his protection and the protection of the whole Church.

The Promises of St. Michael

According to the account of Antónia d'Astónac, St. Michael made the following promises to all who faithfully pray this chaplet:

First, that he would give his continual assistance and that of all the holy angels during life. Second, that at the hour of death, he and the nine choirs of angels would accompany the soul before God. Third, that for those who pray the chaplet daily, he would free nine souls of their choice from Purgatory, and the nine nearest to death from their own lineage would be confirmed in the grace of God.

These promises, while not defined doctrine, have inspired countless Catholics to take up this prayer with great confidence in the intercession of the angels and the power of St. Michael's patronage.

Pray the St. Michael Chaplet in the Prayer Chapel

The Traditio Prayer Chapel includes a fully guided St. Michael Chaplet — with each salutation, prayer, and instruction presented clearly so you can pray with focus and devotion.

Open the Prayer Chapel →