Yes, you read the title correctly. An angelic representative from each of the nine Choirs of Angels will accompany you to receive Holy Communion if you pray a specific chaplet. Interested? Read the details below.
The story
The chaplet of St. Michael Archangel was given to Servant of God Antonia d’Astonac, a Portuguese Carmelite nun, who had a vision of St. Michael asking her to honor him by nine salutations to the nine Choirs of Angels. St. Michael promised that whoever took up this devotion in his honor would have an escort of nine angels, one chosen from each of the nine Choirs. If that wasn’t enough, there is also the promise that whoever prays this chaplet daily will receive his (and the holy angels’) continuous assistance during their lifetime. Pope Pius IX approved the devotion in 1851.
Sold on the idea and want to give it a try? Here is how to pray it.
The chaplet
Begin by praying:
O God, come to my assistance, O Lord, make haste to help me.
(Pray one Glory Be.)
1. Through the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Seraphim may the Lord make us worthy to burn with a fire of perfect charity. Amen.
(Pray one Our Father and three Hail Mary’s in honor of the 9 angelic choirs.)
2. Through 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.
(Pray one Our Father and three Hail Mary’s in honor of the 9 angelic choirs.)
3. Through 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.
(Pray one Our Father and three Hail Mary’s in honor of the 9 angelic choirs.)
4. Through the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Dominions may the Lord give us the grace to govern our senses and overcome any unruly passions. Amen.
(Pray one Our Father and three Hail Mary’s in honor of the 9 angelic choirs.)
5. Through 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.
(Pray one Our Father and three Hail Mary’s in honor of the 9 angelic choirs.)
6. Through the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Virtues may the Lord preserve us from evil and from falling into temptation. Amen.
(Pray one Our Father and three Hail Mary’s in honor of the 9 angelic choirs.)
7. Through the intercession of St Michael and the celestial Choir of Principalities may God fill our souls with a true spirit of obedience. Amen.
(Pray one Our Father and three Hail Mary’s in honor of the 9 angelic choirs.)
8. Through 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.
(Pray one Our Father and three Hail Mary’s in honor of the 9 angelic choirs.)
9. Through 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.
(Pray one Our Father and three Hail Mary’s in honor of the 9 angelic choirs.)
(Pray one Our Father in honor of each of the following: St. Michael, St. Gabriel, St. Raphael, and your Guardian Angel.)
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 thee with confidence and enable us by thy 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 Thy Church, make us worthy, we beseech Thee, 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 Thy Presence. This we ask through the merits of Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen.
Final thoughts
Next time you’re stuck on what to pray and/or want to try a new devotion, please consider giving this one a chance. It only takes a couple of minutes to get through all the angelic salutations, starting from the highest-ranking Choir (Seraphim) to the lowest-ranking Choir (Angels). Then, next time you receive Holy Communion, you can just picture yourself being surrounded by angels as you receive the “Bread of the Angels.”
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