Patron: sick, blind, travelers and grooms.
Devotion: Saint Raphael the Archangel is the Angel of the healing. His name means “It is God who heals", "God Heals", "God, Please Heal". He is quoted in the Book of Tobit. Rafael helped the young Tobias during his trip appears as a simple and beautiful young traveler accompanying him on his trip. Tobias 6.3, Rafael takes the gall of the fish to cure blindness of Tobit, so it is depicted holding a fish. In chapter 12, Rafael said: "I am Raphael, one of the seven holy angels who watch and have access to the majesty of the Lord." San Rafael is not mentioned in the New Testament, but the tradition identifies as the Angel stirred the water in John 5.4. Rafael is also a prominent figure in Judaism customs. He is one of the three Angels who visited Abraham before the physical devastation of Sodom and Gomorrah. His feast is celebrated on 29 September, along with the Archangels St. Gabriel and St. Michael.
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Apparitions in the world: Saint Raphael the Archangel is the protector of the city of Cordoba, Spain. He appeared several times to the priest Roelas in the year 1578. The city was in major epidemic and and many people died. On May 7, San Rafael appeared and said, “I swear by Jesus Crucified, I'm Rafael Angel whom God put the keeper of the city." After that, people did not die more because of plague. In 1575, it was discovered many relics of martyrs in the Lower Basilica of St. Peter. They were grouped into a common grave. San Rafael appeared to the priest Roelas and said they were Christian martyrs. In 1583, during the Council of Toledo, it was proven that they were really authentic.
Prayer to Saint Raphael Archangel:
Prayer to Saint Raphael Archangel: (Opening prayer)
"Glorious Saint Rafael Archangel, Angel of healing and divine love, You have cured Tobit of blindness, also heal our diseases of the body and soul. Illuminate hospitals, doctors, nurses and those who care for the sick. Relief from illness. You helped young Tobias on the trip. Protect all travelers and missionaries. You helped Sara in her engagement. Help all the newlyweds, the married and the tempted. Free our families from division and discord. Heal our hearts and wounds. Protect us against pests and epidemics. Give us strength in diseases. Bring us new drugs and treatments to cure and alleviate of diseases. Amen."
Final prayer: “Lord, our God, we ask you to enlighten us with the Holy Spirit through Saint Rafael Archangel. Deliver the world from all sin and selfishness, for they are the cause of all disease. We know that disease is a cross to purify and sanctify our souls. Give us strength in difficult times. We believe that You will always be by our side. Look with your mercy on the sick of the whole world, in all diseases, especially for the most serious and incurable. Nothing is impossible with You. Everything is possible for those who believe. And we ask you to help all patients, hospitals, nurses and those who care for the sick. May for Your mercy and compassion, Our Lady of Health and St. Raphael the Archangel bring us healing and relief in all diseases. Amen."
First day: (Tobit 2, 1-18. 3,1) Tobit becomes blind: "But after this, when there was a festival of the Lord, and a good dinner was prepared in Tobias's house. He said to his son: “Go, and bring some of our tribe that fear God, to feast with us.” And when he had gone, returning he told him, that one of the children of Israel lay slain in the street. And he forthwith leaped up from his place at the table, and left his dinner, and came fasting to the body: And taking it up carried it privately to his house, that after the sun was down, he might bury him cautiously. And when he had hid the body, he ate bread with mourning and fear. Remembering the word which the Lord spoke by Amos the prophet: Your festival days shall be turned into lamentation and mourning. So when the sun was down, he went and buried him. Now all his neighbours blamed him, saying: “Once already commandment was given for thee to be slain because of this matter, and thou didst scarce escape the sentence of death, and dost thou again bury the dead?” But Tobias fearing God more than the king, carried off the bodies of them that were slain, and hid them in his house, and at midnight buried them. 10. Now it happened one day, that being wearied with burying, he came to his house, and cast himself down by the wall and slept. And as he was sleeping, hot dung out of a swallow's nest fell upon his eyes, and he was made blind. Now this trial the Lord therefore permitted to happen to him, that an example might be given to posterity of his patience, as also of holy Job. For whereas he had always feared God from his infancy, and kept his commandments, he repined not against God because the evil of blindness had befallen him, But continued immoveable in the fear of God, giving thanks to God all the days of his life. For as the kings insulted over holy Job: so his relations and kinsmen mocked at his life, saying: “Where is thy hope, for which thou gavest alms, and buriedst the dead?” But Tobias rebuked them, saying: “Speak not so: For we are the children of the saints, and look for that life which God will give to those that never change their faith from him.’" Then Tobias sighed, and began to pray with tears."
Second day: (Tobit 3, 7-11. 24-25) Suffering of Sara, daughter of Raguel and Edna: Now it happened on the same day, that Sara daughter of Raguel, in Rages a city of the Medes, received a reproach from one of her father's servant maids, Because she had been given to seven husbands, and a devil named Asmodeus had killed them, at their first going in unto her. So when she reproved the maid for her fault, she answered her, saying: “May we never see son, or daughter of thee upon the earth, thou murderer of thy husbands. Wilt thou kill me also, as thou hast already killed seven husbands?" At these words she went into an upper chamber of her house: and for three days and three nights did neither eat nor drink: But continuing in prayer with tears besought God, that he would deliver her from this reproach. Be thy name, O God of Israel, blessed for ever. At that time the prayers of them both were heard in the sight of the glory of the most high God.” And the Holy Angel of the Lord, Raphael was sent to heal them both, whose prayers at one time were rehearsed in the sight of the Lord."
Third day: (Tobit 4, 1-2. 21-23. 5, 4-22.) Tobias meets the Angel Raphael: Therefore when Tobias thought that his prayer was heard that he might die, he called to him Tobias his son, And said to him: “Hear, my son, the words of my mouth, and lay them as a foundation in thy heart. I tell thee also, my son, that I lent ten talents of silver, while thou wast yet a child, to Gabelus, in Rages a city of the Medes, and I have a note of his hand with me: Now therefore inquire how thou mayst go to him, and receive of him the foresaid sum of money, and restore to him the note of his hand. Fear not, my son: we lead indeed a poor life, but we shall have many good things if we fear God, and depart from all sin, and do that which is good. But go now, and seek thee out some faithful man, to go with thee for his hire: that thou mayst receive it, while I yet live.” Then Tobias going forth, found a beautiful young man, standing girded, and as it were ready to walk. And not knowing that he was an Angel of God, he saluted him, and said: From whence art thou, good young man? But he answered: "Of the children of Israel." And Tobias said to him: "Knowest thou the way that leadeth to the country of the Medes?" And he answered: "I know it: and I have often walked through all the ways thereof, and I have abode with Gabelus our brother, who dwelleth at Rages a city of the Medes, which is situate in the mount of Ecbatana." And Tobias said to him: "Stay for me, I beseech thee, till I tell these same things to my father." Then Tobias going in told all these things to his father. Upon which his father being in admiration, desired that he would come in unto him. So going in he saluted him, and said: "Joy be to thee always." And Tobias said: "What manner of joy shall be to me, who sit in darkness, and see not the light of heaven?" And the young man said to him: "Be of good courage, thy cure from God is at hand." And Tobias said to him: "Canst thou conduct my son to Gabelus at Rages, a city of the Medes? and when thou shalt return, I will pay thee thy hire." And the Angel said to him: "I will conduct him thither, and bring him back to thee." And Tobias said to him: "I pray thee, tell me, of what family, or what tribe art thou?" And Raphael the Angel answered: "Dost thou seek the family of him thou hirest, or the hired servant himself to go with thy son? But lest I should make thee uneasy, I am Azarias the son of the great Ananias." And Tobias answered: "Thou art of a great family. But I pray thee be not angry that I desired to know thy family." And the Angel said to him: "I will lead thy son safe, and bring him to thee again safe." And Tobias answering, said: "May you have a good journey, and God be with you in your way, and his Angel accompany you." Then all things being ready, that were to be carried in their journey, Tobias bade his father and his mother farewell, and they set out both together."
Fourth day: (Tobit 6, 1-9) Raphael Angel on the trip with Tobias: And Tobias went forward, and the dog followed him, and he lodged the first night by the river of Tigris. And he went out to wash his feet, and behold a monstrous fish came up to devour him. And Tobias being afraid of him, cried out with a loud voice, saying: “Sir, he cometh upon me.” And the Angel said to him: “Take him by the gill, and draw him to thee. And when he had done so, he drew him out upon the land, and he began to pant before his feet.” Then the Angel said to him: “Take out the entrails of the fish, and lay up his heart, and his gall, and his liver for thee: for these are necessary for useful medicines." And when he had done so, he roasted the flesh thereof, and they took it with them in the way: the rest they salted as much as might serve them, till they came to Rages the city of the Medes. Then Tobias asked the angel, and said to him: “I beseech thee, brother Azarias, tell me what remedies are these things good for, which thou hast bid me keep of the fish?” And the Angel, answering, said to him: “If thou put a little piece of its heart upon coals, the smoke thereof driveth away all kind of devils, either from man or from woman, so that they come no more to them. And the gall is good for anointing the eyes, in which there is a white speck, and they shall be cured."
Fifth day: (Tobit 6, 10-22) Raphael Angel joins Tobias and Sara: And Tobias said to him: “Where wilt thou that we lodge?” And the Angel answering, said: “Here is one whose name is Raguel, a near kinsman of thy tribe, and he hath a daughter named Sara, but he hath no son nor any other daughter beside her. All his substance is due to thee, and thou must take her to wife. Ask her therefore of her father, and he will give her thee to wife.” Then Tobias answered, and said: “I hear that she hath been given to seven husbands, and they all died: moreover I have heard, that a devil killed them. Now I am afraid, lest the same thing should happen to me also: and whereas I am the only child of my parents, I should bring down their old age with sorrow to hell.” Then the Angel Raphael said to him: “Hear me, and I will shew thee who they are, over whom the devil can prevail. For they who in such manner receive matrimony, as to shut out God from themselves, and from their mind, and to give themselves to their lust, as the horse and mule, which have not understanding, over them the devil hath power. But thou when thou shalt take her, go into the chamber, and for three days keep thyself continent from her, and give thyself to nothing else but to prayers with her. And on that night lay the liver of the fish on the fire, and the devil shall be driven away. But the second night thou shalt be admitted into the society of the holy Patriarchs. And the third night thou shalt obtain a blessing that sound children may be born of you. And when the third night is past, thou shalt take the virgin with the fear of the Lord, moved rather for love of children than for lust, that in the seed of Abraham thou mayst obtain a blessing in children."
Sixth day: (Tobit 8, 1-6. 16-19.23) Raphael Angel frees Sara from the demon: And after they had supped, they brought in the young man to her. And Tobias remembering the angel's word, took out of his bag part of the liver, and laid it upon burning coals. Then the Angel Raphael took the devil, and bound him in the desert of upper Egypt. Then Tobias exhorted the virgin, and said to her: “Sara, arise, and let us pray to God to day, and to morrow, and the next day: because for these three nights we are joined to God: and when the third night is over, we will be in our own wedlock. For we are the children of saints, and we must not be joined together like heathens that know not God." So they both arose, and prayed earnestly both together that health might be given them. And returning she brought the good news: Raguel and Anna his wife blessed the Lord. And Anna said: “We bless thee, O Lord God of Israel, because it hath not happened as we suspected. For thou hast shewn thy mercy to us, and hast shut out from us the enemy that persecuted us and thou hast taken pity upon two only children. Make them, O Lord, bless thee more fully: and to offer up to thee a sacrifice of thy praise, and of their health, that all nations may know, that thou alone art God in all the earth.” And Raguel adjured Tobias, to abide with him two weeks.
Seventh day: (Tobit 11, 1-17) Raphael heals Tobit: "And as they were returning they came to Charan, which is in the midway to Ninive, the eleventh day. And the Angel said: “Brother Tobias, thou knowest how thou didst leave thy father. If it please thee therefore, let us go before, and let the family follow softly after us, together with thy wife, and with the beasts.” And as this their going pleased him, Raphael said to Tobias: “Take with thee of the gall of the fish, for it will be necessary.” So Tobias took some of that gall and departed. But Anna sat beside the way daily, on the top of a hill, from whence she might see afar off. And while she watched his coming from that place, she saw him afar off, and presently perceived it was her son coming: and returning she told her husband, saying: Behold thy son cometh. And Raphael said to Tobias: “As soon as thou shalt come into thy house, forthwith adore the Lord thy God and giving thanks to him, go to thy father, and kiss him. And immediately anoint his eyes with this gall of the fish, which thou carriest with thee. For be assured that his eyes shall be presently opened, and thy father shall see the light of heaven, and shall rejoice in the sight of thee." Then the dog, which had been with them in the way, ran before, and coming as if he had brought the news, shewed his joy by his fawning and wagging his tail. And his father that was blind, rising up, began to run stumbling with his feet. And giving a servant his hand, went to meet his son. And receiving him kissed him, as did also his wife, and they began to weep for joy. And when they had adored God, and given him thanks, they sat down together. Then Tobias taking of the gall of the fish, anointed his father's eyes. And he stayed about half an hour and a white skin began to come out of his eyes, like the skin of an egg. And Tobias took hold of it, and drew it from his eyes, and immediately he recovered his sight. And they glorified God, both he and his wife and all that knew them. And Tobias said: “I bless thee, O Lord God of Israel, because thou hast chastised me, and thou hast saved me: and behold I see Tobias my son."
Eighth day: (Tobit 12, 1-10) Advices from Angel Rafael: Then Tobias called to him his son, and said to him: What can we give to this holy man, that is come with thee?" Tobias answering, said to his father: “Father, what wages shall we give him? Or what can be worthy of his benefits? He conducted me and brought me safe again, he received the money of Gabelus, he caused me to have my wife, and he chased from her the evil spirit, he gave joy to her parents, myself he delivered from being devoured by the fish, thee also he hath made to see the light of heaven, and we are filled with all good things through him. What can we give him sufficient for these things? But I beseech thee, my father, to desire him, that he would vouchsafe to accept one half of all things that have been brought." So the father and the son, calling him, took him aside and began to desire him that he would vouchsafe to accept of half of all things that they had brought. Then he said to them secretly: “Bless ye the God of Heaven, give glory to him in the sight of all that live, because he hath shewn his mercy to you. For it is good to hide the secret of a king: but honourable to reveal and confess the works of God. Prayer is good with fasting and alms more than to lay up treasures of gold: For alms delivereth from death, and the same is that which purgeth away sins, and maketh to find mercy and life everlasting. But they that commit sin and iniquity, are enemies to their own soul."
Ninth day: (Tobit 12, 11-22) Raphael reveals himself as an Angel sent by God: The Raphael Angel: "I discover then the truth unto you, and I will not hide the secret from you. When thou didst pray with tears, and didst bury the dead, and didst leave thy dinner, and hide the dead by day in thy house, and bury them by night, I offered thy prayer to the Lord. And because thou wast acceptable to God, it was necessary that temptation should prove thee. And now the Lord hath sent me to heal thee, and to deliver Sara thy son's wife from the devil. For I am the angel Raphael, one of the seven, who stand before the Lord." And when they had heard these things, they were troubled, and being seized with fear they fell upon the ground on their face. And the angel said to them: "Peace be to you, fear not. For when I was with you, I was there by the will of God: bless ye him, and sing praises to him. I seemed indeed to eat and to drink with you. But I use an invisible meat and drink, which cannot be seen by men. It is time therefore that I return to him that sent me. But bless ye God, and publish all his wonderful works.” And when he had said these things, he was taken from their sight, and they could see him no more. Then they lying prostrate for three hours upon their face, blessed God and rising up, they told all his wonderful works.
