A complete guide to Catholic chaplet prayers — what they are, how to pray them, and which chaplet to reach for in any situation. Full step-by-step instructions for the Divine Mercy Chaplet, St. Michael Chaplet, Padre Pio Chaplet, and more.
Full prayers for every chaplet
Which prayer for which situation
Bead-by-bead instructions
Links to chaplet rosaries & medals
What is a chaplet? How is it different from the Rosary?
The most asked question about Catholic devotional prayer — answered clearly
The Rosary
- A specific prayer meditating on 20 mysteries from the lives of Jesus and Mary
- Always uses the same prayers: Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be, Fatima Prayer
- Five decades (50 Hail Marys) for a standard session
- Primarily a prayer of meditation — you contemplate while praying
- Organized in four sets: Joyful, Luminous, Sorrowful, Glorious
- Takes 20–25 minutes for five decades
A Chaplet
- Any prayer prayed on beads that is not the Rosary — the word simply means a small crown or wreath of prayers
- Uses specific prayers depending on the chaplet — many use entirely different words
- Bead count varies: the Divine Mercy uses 5 decades, St. Michael uses 9 groups of 3
- Primarily a prayer of intercession — you ask for specific graces
- Addressed to God, Our Lady, or a specific saint depending on the chaplet
- Most chaplets take 7–15 minutes
The simple answer: a chaplet is any set of prayers prayed on beads other than the standard Dominican Rosary. You can pray most chaplets on ordinary rosary beads — you just say different prayers on the beads. The beads are the counting tool. The prayers determine what you are actually praying.
Which prayer for which situation?
Select what you are praying for — we'll recommend the right chaplet and explain why
Someone is dying right now
Cancer or serious illness
Anxiety or mental health
A hopeless situation
Someone in danger
Someone who has died
Conversion of a loved one
A troubled marriage
Addiction and recovery
Complete chaplet guides — step by step
Click any chaplet to see full prayers, bead instructions, and common questions
Chaplet of Divine Mercy
The most prayed chaplet in the world — 7–10 minutes on rosary beads
Given to St. Faustina Kowalska by Jesus in a vision on September 13–14, 1935. Jesus told her: "Whoever will recite this Chaplet will receive great mercy at the hour of death." It is prayed on ordinary rosary beads, takes 7–10 minutes, and is particularly powerful at 3pm — the Hour of Mercy — in memory of the hour Christ died. St. Faustina was canonized in 2000 and her feast is October 5.
Important: The Divine Mercy Chaplet is primarily a prayer of intercession, not meditation. Unlike the Rosary, you are not meditating on mysteries — you are offering Christ's sacrifice to the Father and asking for mercy. When praying for a specific person, simply hold them in mind through each decade.
What beads to use:
✝
→
OF
→
×5 decades
:
EF
FS
FS
FS
FS
FS
FS
FS
FS
FS
FS
EF = Eternal Father prayer · FS = For the sake of His sorrowful Passion · Use any standard 5-decade rosary
1
Sign of the Cross — on the crucifix
SayIn the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
2
Optional opening prayer — on the crucifix
Say (optional — 3 times)O Blood and Water, which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a fount of mercy for us, I trust in You.
3
Our Father, Hail Mary, Apostles' Creed — on the first three beads
On the first large bead: Our Father. On the first small bead: Hail Mary. On the second small bead: Apostles' Creed. Then begin the decades.
4
On each large bead (×5) — the Eternal Father prayer
Say on each large beadEternal Father, I offer You the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your dearly beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world.
5
On each small bead (×10 per decade) — the Sorrowful Passion prayer
Say on each small bead (×10)For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.
Repeat for all five decades: Eternal Father prayer on the large bead, then ×10 on the small beads.
6
Closing — after the fifth decade
Say 3 timesHoly God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world.
7
Optional closing prayer
SayEternal God, in whom mercy is endless and the treasury of compassion inexhaustible, look kindly upon us and increase Your mercy in us, that in difficult moments we might not despair nor become despondent, but with great confidence submit ourselves to Your holy will, which is Love and Mercy itself. Amen.
When is the best time to pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet?
3pm — the Hour of Mercy — is specifically requested by Jesus in St. Faustina's diary because it is the hour of Christ's death on the Cross. Jesus said: "At three o'clock, implore My mercy, especially for sinners; and, if only for a brief moment, immerse yourself in My Passion, particularly in My abandonment at the moment of agony." Any time is appropriate, but 3pm carries specific promises for those who pray it then.
Can I pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet for someone who has already died?
Yes — completely. The Chaplet is appropriate for both the dying and the deceased. For someone who has died, you pray it for mercy on their soul, offering Christ's sacrifice to the Father on their behalf. St. Faustina's diary includes specific promises for those who pray for the dying — but the Chaplet is a prayer of intercession that can be offered for anyone, living or dead.
Should I meditate on mysteries during the Divine Mercy Chaplet like I do the Rosary?
No — this is the key difference between the two. The Rosary is primarily a prayer of meditation on the mysteries. The Divine Mercy Chaplet is primarily a prayer of intercession — you are offering Christ's sacrifice to the Father and asking for mercy. Simply hold in mind the person or intention you are praying for through each decade. The prayer itself carries the weight; your job is to mean it.
Chaplet of St. Michael the Archangel
9 choirs of angels · unique bead structure · protection from evil
The St. Michael Chaplet was given to a Carmelite nun, Antonia d'Astonac, in a vision in which St. Michael appeared to her and asked that he be honored with nine salutations corresponding to the nine choirs of angels. Pope Pius IX approved the chaplet in 1851 and granted indulgences to those who pray it. Its unusual bead structure — nine groups of three beads plus four additional beads — is what most confuses people. Once understood, it is simple.
The bead structure: This chaplet requires a special St. Michael chaplet or can be improvised on a regular rosary. It has 9 groups of 3 beads (one Hail Mary per bead, preceded by a salutation to each choir of angels) plus 4 extra beads for the archangels Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, and all the angels.
Bead structure:
✝
→
×9 groups:
SAL
→
+4 archangel beads
M
G
R
All
SAL = Salutation to a choir of angels · 3 Hail Marys follow each salutation · M/G/R = Michael, Gabriel, Raphael
1
Sign of the Cross and opening prayer
SayO God, come to my assistance. O Lord, make haste to help me. Glory be to the Father...
2
Nine salutations — one per choir of angels — each followed by 3 Hail Marys
For each of the nine choirs, say the salutation and then three Hail Marys. The nine choirs are: Seraphim, Cherubim, Thrones, Dominations, Powers, Virtues, Principalities, Archangels, Angels.
Example — First salutation (Seraphim)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. [Then 3 Hail Marys]
Repeat the pattern — salutation + 3 Hail Marys — for all nine choirs
3
Four archangel prayers — one per bead
First archangel bead — St. MichaelO 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. Amen.
Continue with similar prayers for Gabriel, Raphael, and all the guardian angels
4
Closing — the St. Michael prayer
SaySt. 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 hosts, 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.
Can I pray the St. Michael Chaplet on regular rosary beads?
Yes. Use the five decades as your nine groups by simply counting: pray three groups of three on the first decade, three on the second, three on the third — which gets you through all nine groups of three Hail Marys (27 total). Then use four beads for the four archangel prayers. Many people use their regular rosary and simply track the groups mentally. A dedicated St. Michael chaplet has the correct bead count built in.
Chaplet of St. Padre Pio
Prayed on rosary beads · the stigmatist's prayer · healing and mercy
St. Padre Pio — the Capuchin friar who bore the stigmata for fifty years — is one of the most beloved saints of the modern era. He was investigated and restricted by Church authorities who doubted his mystical phenomena, vindicated and canonized by John Paul II in 2002. His chapel in San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy is one of the most visited pilgrimage sites in the world. The Padre Pio Chaplet is prayed on ordinary rosary beads and takes about 10 minutes.
Note on Padre Pio's rosary devotion: Padre Pio was said to pray 15 rosaries every day. He called the rosary his weapon and kept his hand on his rosary beads at virtually all times. When asked what the rosary was, he said: "It is the weapon." His chaplet connects the pray-er to this constant, intense Marian devotion.
1
Opening — Sign of the Cross and invocation
SayIn the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. O Jesus, I unite myself with your continuous act of praise, thanksgiving, reparation, and petition, which you perform in the Holy Eucharist even to the end of time.
2
On each large bead (×5) — the decade prayer
Say on each large beadEternal Father, I offer You the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Your most beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, for the pardon and remission of all our sins, for the needs of Holy Church, and for the relief of the souls in Purgatory.
3
On each small bead (×10 per decade)
Say on each small beadSweet Heart of Jesus, be my love. Sweet Heart of Mary, be my salvation.
Repeat for all five decades
4
Closing prayer
SayStay with me, Lord, for it is necessary to have You present so that I do not forget You. You know how easily I abandon You. Stay with me, Lord, because I am weak and I need Your strength, that I may not fall so often. Stay with me, Lord, for You are my life, and without You, I am without fervor. Stay with me, Lord, for You are my light, and without You, I am in darkness. Stay with me, Lord, to show me Your will. Stay with me, Lord, so that I hear Your voice and follow You. Amen.
Chaplet of St. Jude Thaddeus
Patron of hopeless causes · the chaplet for desperate situations
St. Jude Thaddeus — the Apostle who is almost never mentioned individually in the Gospels — became the patron of desperate situations precisely because people pray to him when they have run out of other options. His feast on October 28 is shared with St. Simon. The novena to St. Jude, published by grateful recipients in newspaper classified ads, is one of the most distinctive Catholic devotions in America. His chaplet is prayed on rosary beads and is particularly powerful when the situation seems impossible.
1
Opening — Sign of the Cross and Act of Contrition
SayIn the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended You. I detest all my sins because of Your just punishments, but most of all because they offend You, my God, who are all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve with the help of Your grace to sin no more and to avoid the near occasion of sin. Amen.
2
On each large bead (×5) — prayer to St. Jude
SayO most holy Apostle, St. Jude, faithful servant and friend of Jesus, the Church honors and invokes you universally as the patron of hopeless cases, of things almost despaired of. Pray for me; I am so helpless and alone. Make use, I implore you, of that particular privilege given to you, to bring visible and speedy help where help is almost despaired of.
3
On each small bead (×10) — the response prayer
SaySt. Jude, pray for us and for all who invoke your aid.
Repeat for all five decades · Offer each decade for a specific intention
4
Closing
SayCome to my assistance in this great need that I may receive the consolation and help of heaven in all my necessities, tribulations, and sufferings, particularly [name your intention], and that I may praise God with you and all the elect forever. I promise, O Blessed St. Jude, to be ever mindful of this great favor granted me by God and to always honor you as my special and powerful patron, and to gratefully encourage devotion to you. Amen.
Chaplet of the Seven Sorrows of Mary
Servite tradition · 7 sets of 7 beads · for grief and suffering
The Chaplet of the Seven Sorrows — also called the Servite Rosary or the Dolors Rosary — meditates on the seven moments of greatest suffering in Mary's life: the Prophecy of Simeon, the Flight into Egypt, losing the Child Jesus, meeting Jesus on the Way of the Cross, the Crucifixion, the Descent from the Cross, and the Burial. It requires a special chaplet with 7 sets of 7 beads, though it can be improvised on a standard rosary. It is particularly powerful for those who are grieving.
The bead structure: The Seven Sorrows chaplet has 7 sets of 7 beads (called "weeks" rather than decades). Each week meditates on one of Mary's seven sorrows. A standard 5-decade rosary can be used by praying 5 weeks on the main circle and 2 weeks on the introductory beads, or by simply using any beads and keeping count.
1
Opening prayer
SayI grieve for you, O Mary most sorrowful, in the affliction of your tender heart at the prophecy of the holy and aged Simeon. Dear Mother, by your heart so afflicted, obtain for me the virtue of humility and the gift of the holy fear of God.
2
The pattern for each of the seven sorrows
For each of the seven sorrows, announce the sorrow, say the grief prayer for that sorrow, then say 7 Hail Marys while meditating on that sorrow. After the 7 Hail Marys, say 1 Our Father.
The seven sorrows1. The Prophecy of Simeon · 2. The Flight into Egypt · 3. The Loss of Jesus in the Temple · 4. Meeting Jesus on the Way of the Cross · 5. The Crucifixion and Death of Jesus · 6. The Taking Down of Jesus from the Cross · 7. The Burial of Jesus
3
Closing — three Hail Marys for Mary's tears
SayQueen of Martyrs, your heart suffered so much. I beg you by the merits of the tears you shed in these terrible and sorrowful times, to obtain for me and all who invoke you in their sorrow and anguish, comfort and peace. Amen. [Then 3 Hail Marys]
When is the Seven Sorrows Chaplet most appropriate to pray?
The Seven Sorrows chaplet is particularly powerful during Lent, on the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows (September 15), and for those who are grieving a death, suffering a serious illness, or accompanying someone through suffering. Meditating on Mary's grief beside her Son's Cross gives comfort to those who cannot find the words for their own grief. It is the prayer for those whose sorrow is too heavy for ordinary words.
Directory of Catholic chaplets
All major saint chaplets — with saint connection and best use
Chaplet of St. Joseph
7-decade structure · patron of fathers, workers, the dying · powerful for those facing death
Chaplet of St. Anthony of Padua
13 decades · patron of lost things, the poor · prayed for specific petitions · June 13 feast
Chaplet of St. Dymphna
Rosary beads · patron of mental health · anxiety, depression, PTSD · May 15 feast
Chaplet of St. Rita of Cascia
Rosary beads · patron of impossible causes · difficult marriages · abuse survivors · May 22
Chaplet of St. Peregrine
Rosary beads · patron of cancer patients · serious illness · miraculous healing tradition · May 1
Chaplet of St. Gertrude the Great
For holy souls in purgatory · specific promise: releases 1,000 souls per prayer · November devotion
Chaplet of St. Maximilian Kolbe
Rosary beads · patron of addiction and recovery · Auschwitz martyr · August 14 feast
Chaplet of St. Patrick
Celtic bead structure · patron of Ireland · Irish heritage devotion · March 17 feast
Chaplet of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Rosary beads · patroness of the Americas and the unborn · December 12 feast
Chaplet of Our Lady of Perpetual Help
Rosary beads · Marian intercession · for those who need constant help and reassurance
Chaplet of St. Anne
Patron of grandmothers, mothers, infertility · July 26 feast shared with Joachim
Chaplet of St. Kateri Tekakwitha
First Native American saint · ecology, indigenous peoples · July 14 feast
Why chaplets exist — and when to choose one over the Rosary
The Rosary is the great Catholic prayer of meditation — structured, comprehensive, walking the entire Gospel in four sets of mysteries. But not every prayer moment calls for a twenty-minute meditation. Sometimes what is needed is intercession — focused, urgent, specific. This is what chaplets are for.
When someone you love is dying, you don't begin the Annunciation. You reach for the Divine Mercy Chaplet and pray it at 3pm with the specific promise Jesus gave St. Faustina ringing in your ears: "When they say this Chaplet in the presence of the dying, I will stand between My Father and the dying person, not as the just Judge but as the merciful Savior." That is a chaplet. That is what it does.
The tradition of Catholic chaplet prayer is ancient and vast — there are well over fifty approved chaplets in the Church's devotional tradition, each connecting a specific prayer need to a specific saint or divine attribute. The ones on this page are the ones with the deepest tradition, the highest search volume, and the strongest connection to real human need. They are not exhaustive. They are a beginning.
Every rosary and medal on this site can accompany these prayers. Browse our full rosary collection, our patron saints index, or learn how to pray the Rosary as the foundation of all bead prayer.