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6. SAINT RAPHAEL ARCHANGEL

Saint Raphael is known as the angel of healing not
least spiritual healing. The Hebrew name Rafa’el means
“God heals”. He is also known as the patron saint of
travelers, the blind, happy meetings and Christian marriage.
He appears in the Old Testament Book of Tobit, in
which he disguises himself as a man named Azarias and
accompanies Tobias on his journey to Media, aiding him
along the way. During the course of the journey, the
archangel’s protective influence is shown in various ways,
including the binding of a demon in the desert of Upper
Egypt. In chapter 3 (Tob 3:24-25) he is mentioned as
follows: “This time the prayer of each of them (Tobit and
Sarah) found favour before the glory of God, and Raphael
was sent to bring remedy to them both.” Chapter 12 refers
to his healing powers (Tob 12:14-18): “ ‘I was sent to test
your faith, and at the same time God sent me to heal you
and your daughter-in-law Sarah. I am Raphael, one of the
seven angels who stand ever ready to enter the presence
of the glory of the Lord.’ They were both overwhelmed
with awe; they fell on their faces in terror. But the angel said,
‘Do not be afraid; peace be with you. Bless God for ever. As
far as I was concerned, when I was with you, my presence
was not by any decision of mine, but by the will of God; it is
he whom you must bless throughout your days, he that
you must praise.’ ”
The Gospel of John (Jn 5:1-4) refers to the pool of
Bethesda, where the multitude of the infirm lay awaiting
the moving of the water, “... for at intervals the angel of
the Lord came down into the pool, and the water was
disturbed, and the first person to enter the water after this
disturbance was cured of any ailment he suffered from.”
Because of the healing role assigned to St. Raphael, this
particular angel is associated with the archangel.

The united feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel and Raphael is
celebrated on 29 September.