St. Raphael the Archangel
Feast 09-29
Patron of
About
Raphael is one of the three archangels named in Scripture, and his name means "God heals." He appears in the Book of Tobit, where he travels in disguise with the young Tobias, guiding him safely on a long journey, arranging his marriage to Sarah, and healing the blindness of his father Tobit with the gall of a fish.
Because of this story, Raphael is honored as the patron of travelers, of the young, and of healing. He is also traditionally identified as the angel who stirred the waters of the pool of Bethesda in the Gospel of John, where the sick came to be healed.
Raphael's feast is celebrated on September 29 together with the archangels Michael and Gabriel. He is invoked by those seeking physical healing, by travelers setting out on journeys, and by those seeking a good spouse.
Suggested prayer
O God, who sent the archangel Raphael to guide young Tobias on his journey and to heal the blindness of his father, grant through his intercession that travelers may be kept safe and the sick restored to health. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
