Antónia d'Astónaco was a Portuguese Carmelitenun who reported a private revelation by Saint Michael the Archangel. d'Astónaco said that the Archangel Michael had indicated in an apparition that he would like to be honored, and God glorified, by the praying of nine special invocations. These nine invocations correspond to invocations to the nine choirs of angels and origins the Chaplet of Saint Michael. This private revelation and prayers were approved by Pope Pius IX in 1851.
Chaplet
Praying the chaplet is said to provide the assistance from Saint Michael the Archangel and the company of one angel from each of the nine celestial choirs when approaching Holy Communion. In addition, for those who would recite the Chaplet daily, he promised his continual assistance and that of all the holy angels during life. Praying the chaplet is also believed gradually to defeat demons and grant a Pure Heart thus delivering from Purgatory. These blessings extend to the direct family. The chaplet begins with an act of contrition. Then there are nine salutations, one for each choir of angels, each one followed by an Our Father and three Hail Marys. These are followed by four Our Fathers, honoring Saints Michael, Gabriel, Raphael and the Guardian Angel. The chaplet concludes with a prayer to Saint Michael.
Promises
The Archangel Michael promised to whoever would pray this Chaplet:
That he would send a chosen angel from each angelic choir to accompany the devotees at the time of Communion.
To those who recite these nine salutations, every day:
That they will enjoy his continued assistance during this life and also after death, in purgatory.
They will be accompanied by all the angels and will be, with all their loved ones and relatives freed from Purgatory.
granted the following Indulgences to those who pray the chaplet:
Partial indulgence, to those who pray this Chaplet with a contrite heart.
Partial indulgence, each day to those who carry the Chaplet with them and/or kiss the medal of the Holy Angels that hangs from it.
Full indulgence, to those who pray it once a month, the day they choose, truly contrite and confessed, praying for the intentions of their Holiness.
Full indulgence, with the same conditions, in the feasts of the Apparition of St Michael the Archangel ; the feast of the Archangels Michael, Gabriel and Rafael ; and on the day of the Holy Guardian Angels.
How to pray it
The chaplet is prayed with a physical chaplet, counting the prayers with it as you would do with a rosary.
The chaplet begins with the following invitation: O God, come to my assistance. O Lord, make haste to help me. Glory be to the Father, to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now and will be forever, time without end. Amen."
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 Heaven.
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 in the life to come to Heaven.
Amen. *
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.
