St. Raphael is one of the seven Archangels who stands before the throne of God. He is known as the healer. St. Raphael is also known as patron of travelers and he helps to guide spiritual journeys searching for truth and awareness. In the Book of Tobit (Old Testament), Saint Raphael helped Tobias to make balms and ointments from fish to cure Tobit’s (Tobias’s father) blindness. Raphael means ‘God’s Healing’ and so he is called upon by doctors, nurses and all medical workers. He helps to heal physical, spiritual and mental illness. Raphael shares his feast day, the Feast of the Archangels, with Saints Michael and Gabriel on September 29. The following prayer can be recited as a Novena for nine days for any special intention.
O good St. Raphael, I invoke thee as the patron of those who are afflicted with bodily illness or ailment. Thou didst prepare the remedy which cured the blindness of the elder Tobias, and thy name means “God has healed”.
I turn to thee for help in my present need (mention your request). If it be the Will of God, deign to cure my ailment, or at least give me the strength I need to bear it patiently in atonement for my sins and for the salvation of my soul. Teach me to unite my sufferings with those of Jesus and Mary and to seek God’s grace in prayer and Holy Communion.
I wish to imitate thee in thy zeal to do God’s Will in all things. Like young Tobias, I choose thee as my companion on my journey through this valley of tears. I wish to follow thine inspirations every step of the way, so that I may reach my journey’s end under thy constant protection and in the grace of God.
St. Raphael, to the elder Tobias thou didst reveal thyself as “the help of the grace of God”. Be thou my help and deign to obtain for me the grace of God and the favour I ask of thee through thy powerful intercession. Physician from God, deign to cure me as thou didst cure Tobias.
St. Raphael, thou who art called “the Remedy of God” and “the Angel of Health”, pray for me. Amen.
In honour of St. Raphael, recite one Our Father, one Hail Mary and one Glory be to the Father.
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