How to Pray the Chaplet of Saint Michael
By The Faith Gift Shop | Published: 2026-10-30
Category: How-to Guides
Learn the traditional Chaplet of Saint Michael, including the nine salutations, prayers, and how to use the Coronilla de San Miguel beads.
Quick Answer
To pray the Chaplet of Saint Michael, begin with the opening prayers, then recite nine salutations—one for each choir of angels—followed by four Our Fathers and a closing prayer, using the Coronilla de San Miguel beads to keep count.
Why the Chaplet Uses Nine Salutations
The Chaplet of Saint Michael honors the nine choirs of angels, a tradition that dates back to a revelation to Antonia de Astónac in Portugal around 1750. Each salutation asks for the intercession of a specific choir, from Seraphim to Angels, making the prayer a structured meditation on the angelic hierarchy.
This structure sets it apart from the traditional rosary, which focuses on the mysteries of Christ's life. The chaplet's nine groups of beads help you keep track of the salutations, so you can focus on the prayers rather than counting.
What You Need to Pray the Chaplet
You can pray the Chaplet of Saint Michael with any set of prayer beads, but a dedicated Coronilla de San Miguel makes the process smoother. The beads are arranged in nine groups of three, with an additional four beads for the opening and closing prayers, so you always know where you are in the sequence.
If you don't have a chaplet, you can use a standard rosary by counting the nine salutations on the decade beads, but a dedicated chaplet reduces the risk of losing your place.
Step-by-Step Guide to Praying the Chaplet
- Begin with the Opening Prayers: Hold the crucifix and make the Sign of the Cross. Then pray the opening prayer: 'O God, come to my assistance; O Lord, make haste to help me.' Check that you're holding the crucifix, not the first bead, to avoid starting the count too early.
- Pray the First Salutation (Seraphim): On the first group of three beads, pray one Our Father and three Hail Marys in honor of the Seraphim. Then recite the salutation: 'By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Seraphim, may the Lord make us worthy to be consumed with perfect charity.' A common mistake is rushing the Hail Marys; recite them slowly to meditate on the choir's virtue.
- Continue with the Remaining Eight Choirs: Repeat the same pattern for the Cherubim, Thrones, Dominions, Virtues, Powers, Principalities, Archangels, and Angels. Each time, pray one Our Father and three Hail Marys, followed by the appropriate salutation. Keep your place by counting the groups of three beads; if you lose track, pause and restart the group rather than guessing.
- Pray the Four Our Fathers: After the ninth salutation, pray four Our Fathers—one in honor of St. Michael, one for St. Gabriel, one for St. Raphael, and one for your Guardian Angel. These four beads are separate from the nine groups; ensure you've completed all nine before starting this step.
- Conclude with the Closing Prayer: Finish with the prayer: 'Glorious Prince of the heavenly hosts, St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in the battle against principalities and powers...' and make the Sign of the Cross. You can add personal intentions after the closing prayer, but the traditional chaplet ends here.
Product Facts
- Coronilla de San Miguel - Chaplet of Saint Michael: The Coronilla de San Miguel, also called the Rosario de los Ángeles, is a set of prayers asking for the intercession of each of the celestial choirs, revealed to Antonia de Astónac around 1750. Using this chaplet helps you follow the traditional nine-salutation structure without losing count, making it easier to focus on the prayers.
Coronilla de San Miguel - Chaplet of Saint Michael
