The Catechism of the Catholic Church (334-335) states that:
"The whole life
of the church benefits from the mysterious and powerful help of the angels.... From
its beginning until death, human life is surrounded by their watchful care and intercession."
In 2007, Pope Benedict XVI described part of the role of Saint Michael as
follows:
"...defends the cause of God's oneness against
the presumption of the dragon, the "ancient serpent", as John calls it. The serpent's
continuous effort is to make men believe that God must disappear so that they themselves
may become important; that God impedes our freedom and, therefore, that we must
rid ourselves of him."
The Chaplet of St. Michael the Archangel is a chaplet resulting from a reported
private revelation by the Archangel Michael to the Portuguese Carmelite nun Antónia
d'Astónaco. It was approved by Pope Pius IX in 1851 and was granted indulgences.
Audio Version:
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The prayer starts:
O God, come to my assistance. O Lord, make haste to help me. Glory
be to the Father.... etc.
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.
- One 'Our Father' and three 'Hail Marys'
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.
- One 'Our Father' and three 'Hail Marys'
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.
- One 'Our Father' and three 'Hail Marys'
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.
- One 'Our Father' and three 'Hail Marys'
5. 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.
- One 'Our Father' and three 'Hail Marys'
6. By the intercession of St. Michael and
the celestial Choir of Virtues may the Lord preserve us from evil and falling into
temptation. Amen.
- One 'Our Father' and three 'Hail Marys'
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.
- One 'Our Father' and three 'Hail Marys'
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.
- One 'Our Father' and three 'Hail Marys'
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.
- One 'Our Father' and three 'Hail Marys'
For St. Michael: Our Father...
For St. Gabriel: Our Father...
For St. Raphael: Our Father...
For Our Guardian Angel: Our Father...
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, thou who dost shine with excellence and superhuman
virtue deliver us from all evil, who turn to thee 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 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 the August Presence of Thy
Divine Majesty. This we beg through the merits of Jesus Christ Our Lord.
Amen.