Happy fest day of St Michael. Saint Michael the Archangel isn’t a saint so much as an angel, the leader of all God’s angels.
St. Michael has four main responsibilities that we learn from scripture and tradition.
The first is to combat Satan.
The second is to escort the faithful to heaven at their hour of death.
The third is to be a champion of all Christians, and the Church itself.
And the fourth is to call men from life on Earth, to their heavenly judgement.
Very little is known about St Michael other than what we know from scriptures.
In Daniel, St. Michael is mentioned twice. The first time as one who helped Daniel, and the second time he is mentioned with regard to the end times of the world when he will stand for the “children of thy people.”
His next mention comes in the Epistle of St. Jude, where St. Michael is said to guard the tombs of Moses and Eve and has contended with Satan over the body of Moses.
The final mention is in Revelation, where St. Michael and his angels, do battle with the dragon.
There are other scriptures where St. Michael is implied, but not mentioned by name, such as the angel; who defends the gate to Paradise, who defends against Balaam, and “who routed the army of Sennacherib.”
Today, St. Michel is invoked for protection, especially from lethal enemies. He is also the patron of soldiers, police and doctors.
I would like to share with you this extremely powerful chaplet, given to us by St Michael himself – with the following promises to those who pray it.
The chaplet of St Michael originates from a private revelation by St Michael to a Portuguese nun Antónia d’Astónaco, it was approved by Pope Pius IX in 1851. The St Michael promised that whoever prayed the chaplet would have his assistance, and the assistance of one angel from each of the nine celestial choirs, when approaching Holy Communion. Those who recite the chaplet daily will also have the continual assistance of all the angels during their life and after their death. This aid also applies to their immediate family.
HOW TO PRAY THE CHAPLET
The chaplet may be prayed with a special set of chaplet beads (the structure is different to that of the Rosary), or simply prayed mentally.
Before beginning the chaplet, you should make an Act of Contrition.
Then, to start the chaplet, make the sign of the cross and say the prayer:
“O God, come to my assistance. O Lord, make haste to help me. Glory be…”
Then follows nine salutations. After each one, say one Our Father and three Hail Mary’s.
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
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
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
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
By the intercession of St Michael and the celestial Choir of Virtues may the Lord preserve us from evil and falling into temptation. Amen
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
By the intercession of St Michael and the celestial Choir of Principalities may God fill our souls with a true spirit of obedience. Amen
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
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
Then say four Our Fathers, one in honour of each of the following angels: St Michael, St Gabriel, St Raphael, our Guardian Angel.
Then conclude with the following 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, 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.
Let us pray. 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
