and the Angels
In 1886, Pope Leo XIII had a vision after celebrating Mass, where for 10 minutes, he appeared to be in a trance with his face ashen white. When he recovered, he stated that he had seen a horrifying vision of demons who had been released from Hell to attempt to destroy the Church, but then St. Michael appeared and cast Satan and legions back into hell. Following that vision, Pope Leo XIII composed the following prayer to St. Michael, and requested for this prayer to be said after every Mass.
Saint Michael Prayer
Saint Michael, the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God cast into hell Satan and all the evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.
Prayer Against Spiritual Enemies
Glorious Saint Michael, Prince of the heavenly hosts, who stands always ready to give assistance to the people of God; who fought with the dragon, the old serpent, and cast him out of heaven, and now valiantly defends the Church of God that the gates of hell may never prevail against her, I earnestly entreat you to assist me also, in the painful and dangerous conflict which I sustain against the same formidable foe. Be with me, O mighty Prince! that I may courageously fight and vanquish that proud spirit, whom you, by the Divine Power, gloriously overthrew, and whom our powerful King, Jesus Christ, has, in our nature, completely overcome; so having triumphed over the enemy of my salvation, I may with you and the holy angels, praise the clemency of God who, having refused mercy to the rebellious angels after their fall, has granted repentance and forgiveness to fallen man. Amen.
Act of Consecration to St. Michael
Oh most noble Prince of the Angelic Hierarchies, valorous warrior of Almighty God and zealous lover of His glory, terror of the rebellious angels, and love and delight of all the just angels, my beloved Archangel Saint Michael, desiring to be numbered among your devoted servants, I, today offer and consecrate myself to you, and place myself, my family, and all I possess under your most powerful protection.
I entreat you not to look at how little, I, as your servant have to offer, being only a wretched sinner, but to gaze, rather, with favorable eye at the heartfelt affection with which this offering is made, and remember that if from this day onward I am under your patronage, you must during all my life assist me, and procure for me the pardon of my many grievous offenses, and sins, the grace to love with all my heart my God, my dear Savior Jesus, and my Sweet Mother Mary, and to obtain for me all the help necessary to arrive to my crown of glory. Defend me always from my spiritual enemies, particularly in the last moments of my life.
Come then, oh Glorious Prince, and succor me in my last struggle, and with your powerful weapon cast far from me into the infernal abysses that prevaricator and proud angel that one day you prostrated in the celestial battle. Amen.
Chaplet of St. Michael
The Bible only names three angels who belong to the Choir of Archangels: Michael (Daniel 10 & 12, Jude 1, and Revelation 12); Gabriel (Daniel 9, and Luke 1); and Raphael (Tobit 12), but many believe that there may be seven or more archangels.
St. Michael, Prince & Commander of the Heavenly Army, appeared to Servant of God Sr. Antónia d’Astónaco in 1751 in Portugal. He taught her to pray to the 9 choirs of angels and he promised that whoever said this chaplet would be escorted by one angel from each choir as that person approaches Holy Communion. Michael also promised his continual assistance during life, and deliverance from purgatory for themselves and their relatives after death.
This chaplet, approved in 1851 by Pope Pius IX, is prayed on a set of beads made up of nine sets of one Our Father bead and three Hail Mary beads. Sacred Scripture distinguishes nine such groupings: Seraphim, Cherubim, Thrones, Dominations, Powers, Virtues, Principalities, Archangels and Angels (Isaiah 6:2; Genesis 3:24; Colossians 1:16; Ephesians 1:21; Romans 8:38). The following website gives a good summary of each choir: https://www.cravinggraces.com/chaplet-of-st-michael/
Opening Prayer
O God, come to my assistance. O Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory be to …
1st Choir
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.
1 Our Father…
3 Hail Marys…
1 Glory be …
2nd Choir
By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Cherubim, may the Lord grant us grace to leave the ways of sin and run in the paths of Christian perfection. Amen.
1 Our Father…
3 Hail Marys…
1 Glory be …
3rd Choir
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.
1 Our Father…
3 Hail Marys…
1 Glory be …
4th Choir
By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Dominations, may the Lord give us grace to govern our senses and overcome any unruly passions. Amen.
1 Our Father…
3 Hail Marys…
1 Glory be …
5th Choir
By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Virtues, may the Lord preserve us from evil and falling into temptation. Amen.
1 Our Father…
3 Hail Marys…
1 Glory be …
6th Choir
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.
1 Our Father…
3 Hail Marys…
1 Glory be …
7th Choir
By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Principalities, may God fill our souls with a true spirit of obedience. Amen.
1 Our Father…
3 Hail Marys…
1 Glory be …
8th Choir
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.
1 Our Father…
3 Hail Marys…
1 Glory be …
9th Choir
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.
1 Our Father…
3 Hail Marys…
1 Glory be …
In honor of...
In honor of St. Michael (Warrior of God), say 1 Our Father…
In honor of St. Gabriel (Messenger of God), say 1 Our Father…
In honor of St. Raphael (Healer of God), say 1 Our Father…
In honor of our Guardian Angel, say 1 Our Father…
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 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. Amen.