What is a chaplet?

A chaplet is a type of rosary, or string of beads, used in prayer. While similar to a rosary, chaplets are typically shorter, consisting of a different number of beads and often dedicated to a specific saint, devotion, or intention. Unlike the standardized structure of the Rosary, chaplets come in many forms and their structure is dependent on the particular devotion they are meant to accompany. They are often used to invoke a particular Saint or to meditate on a specific aspect of faith. Devotions such as the Chaplet of Divine Mercy or the Chaplet of St. Michael are well-known examples. The prayers recited while using a chaplet vary according to the specific devotion.