The story of the Angel Raphael: meet the adorable angel of the paths

Among the three best-known celestial beings, also known as archangels, is Raphael. Understand through the story of the Angel Raphael why he is remembered for his cures and being the patron saint of travelers, in addition to meeting this one who is the only angelic being who walked among men.

Story of the Angel Raphael

The Angel Raphael is known for being the patron saint of the blind, doctors, priests, travelers, soldiers and scouts. It is usually associated with the image of a snake, commonly linked to medicine. Many devotees turn to him precisely to conquer the cure of their illnesses.

The name Raphael means “God heals” in Hebrew, with variations of “sent by God to heal in His Name.” This fact, of being considered the carrier of healing, gives evidence that he is responsible for the transition of body and spirit.

Raphael is also known as Saint Raphael Archangel, and the use of archangel is common in Jewish, Christian and Islamic religions. He can be known as “chief of the guardian angels” and “the angel of providence who watches over humanity”.

The appearance and story of the Angel Raphael is documented in the apocryphal book of Tobias. In it, Rafael helped a young man named Tobias on his journey, when he found him on a road, disguised as a man. Therefore, the Angel Raphael is cited as the only angelic being to walk the earth.

At this meeting, Rafael, called Azariah, helps his traveling companion to fish so they can eat, and asks Tobias to keep some parts of this fish, which later in the story is used to perform three cures.

When it is said that the Angel Raphael does not appear in the holy scriptures, it is because the book of Tobias is an apocryphal (not accepted as divinely inspired) and is not present in the Protestant Bible, only in the Catholic canon. In the Protestant version, it only mentions the names of two angels of God: Gabriel and Michael. For them, Raphael is classified as a Seraphim.

Devotion to the Angel Raphael

Raphael is usually represented with a fish in one of his hands. It is also common to see him with a staff in the other, which gives us the idea of ​​being the object with which he leads those who are out of God’s way and need help, as seen in the story of the Angel Raphael with Tobias.

The Angel Raphael is revered for the graces of liberation, manifestations of Divine Providence in a material, natural and even supernatural way, protecting from dangers. Devotion to him comes from those who need or have obtained healings, be they physical, spiritual and even emotional.

His feast takes place on the 29th of September, along with the Angel Gabriel the Archangel Michael, but in the past there was a date only for his celebration, on the 24th of October.

Learn the prayer to the Angel Raphael

“Mighty Archangel Saint Raphael, you who are ever vigilant before the face of the Most High God, who deigned to guide Tobias to reach a happy marriage, who warned us that the demon Asmodeus, who killed Sarah’s seven bridegrooms, still today it intrudes on families that stray from the commandments of God and this evil spirit breaks up the happiness of the couple and disunites the family members I beg you, guide the young lovers, guide the engaged couples so that they reach a happy marriage;

Be a watchful sentinel at the door of every Christian home to keep out the evil spirit of mistrust, disharmony, discord, infidelity, jealousy and hatred. Saint Rafael, make love, respect and understanding between husband and wife and between parents and children reign in our families; make true happiness bloom in every home.
Saint Raphael bless us and defend us. Amen.”