Quis ut Deus — Who is like God?
The Chaplet of St. Michael
The Christian life is a spiritual battle, and God has given us defenders. In this ancient chaplet we honour St. Michael and the nine choirs of angels, asking their intercession against temptation and for the graces we need to persevere. It is a prayer of confidence, not of fear.
Origin and Approval
The chaplet in its present form comes from a private revelation given to the Servant of God Antónia d’Astónaco, a Portuguese Carmelite, in the 1750s. In it St. Michael made known his desire to be honoured — and the angels with him — by nine salutations corresponding to the nine choirs.
On 8 August 1851, Pope Pius IX granted indulgences to the praying of this chaplet. Much later, St. Padre Pio recommended this chaplet to his spiritual children and to those suffering temptations, praying it himself with great devotion.
A word of precision
This is a private revelation, not a doctrine of the faith. In granting indulgences, Pius IX encouraged the devotion and judged the prayers themselves free of anything contrary to faith and morals — he did not thereby declare the revelation behind them authentic, and no Catholic is obliged to believe it, as they are bound to believe the truths of the Creed. The angels themselves, however, and the value of asking their intercession, belong firmly to the Church’s faith, as the Catechism sets out below.
What the Church Teaches
The existence of the angels — and their care for us — is the constant teaching of the Church, set out in her own words in the Catechism.
“The existence of the spiritual, non-corporeal beings that Sacred Scripture usually calls “angels” is a truth of faith.”
“From infancy to death human life is surrounded by their watchful care and intercession. “Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life.””
“As purely spiritual creatures angels have intelligence and will: they are personal and immortal creatures, surpassing in perfection all visible creatures, as the splendour of their glory bears witness.”
“Christ is the centre of the angelic world. They are his angels.”
How to Pray the Chaplet
After the opening, pray each of the nine salutations, and after each one an Our Father and three Hail Marys.
Opening
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.
- 1
Choir of 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.
One Our Father · Three Hail Marys
- 2
Choir of 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.
One Our Father · Three Hail Marys
- 3
Choir of 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.
One Our Father · Three Hail Marys
- 4
Choir of 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 any unruly passions. Amen.
One Our Father · Three Hail Marys
- 5
Choir of Powers
By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Powers, may the Lord vouchsafe to protect our souls against the snares and temptations of the devil. Amen.
One Our Father · Three Hail Marys
- 6
Choir of Virtues
By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Virtues, may the Lord preserve us from evil and from falling into temptation. Amen.
One Our Father · Three Hail Marys
- 7
Choir of Principalities
By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Principalities, may God fill our souls with a true spirit of obedience. Amen.
One Our Father · Three Hail Marys
- 8
Choir of Archangels
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.
One Our Father · Three Hail Marys
- 9
Choir of 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 life to come to Heaven. Amen.
One Our Father · Three Hail Marys
Then four Our Fathers
After the nine salutations, pray four Our Fathers: one in honour of St. Michael, one of St. Gabriel, one of St. Raphael, and one for your own Guardian Angel.
Concluding Prayer
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. Amen.
The Nine Choirs of Angels
Scripture distinguishes different groupings among the angels, which Christian tradition has gathered into nine choirs: Seraphim, Cherubim, Thrones, Dominions, Virtues, Powers, Principalities, Archangels, and Angels.
These names are drawn from the sacred text — the Seraphim of Isaiah 6:2, the Cherubim of Genesis 3:24, and the Thrones, Dominions, Principalities, and Powers named by St. Paul in Colossians 1:16 and Ephesians 1:21; St. Paul also reminds us in Romans 8:38 that no angel can separate us from the love of God.
Ask in confidence
Questions about the angels?
Ask anything and receive the Church’s own words — quoted, cited, and linked to the source. Tap a question to begin, or write your own.
This tool shares the Church’s teaching — it is not a substitute for your priest, pastor, or spiritual director.
Under their protection
You are not alone in the battle. Pray the chaplet today, and ask St. Michael and your Guardian Angel to defend you.
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