Pupil Report - St. Raphael: “God Has Healed”

St. Raphael and Tobias

On October 24th, we celebrate the feast of The Archangel, St. Raphael. The name ‘Raphael’ means ‘God has healed’, which is fitting because of all the acts of healing attributed to the Archangel on Earth, Scripture tells us.

Raphael first arrives in Scripture in the book of Tobit under the disguise of a human traveling with Tobias in his youth. Later in Tobit 12:15, he makes himself known to be the Archangel called Raphael. He is believed to be one of the 7 Archangels that sit before the throne of the Lord (Revelations 8:2). The healing works of Raphael include healing Tobias of his blindness in his elder years, as well as the deliverance of Tobias’ daughter in law from a demon that tormented her

​The liturgy for St. Raphael’s feast day is all taken from Tobit as a testament to all his works of healing:

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THE COLLECT: O God, who sent the blessed Archangel Raphael to accompany Your servant Tobias on his journey, grant that we, Your servants, may also be guarded by him always and strengthened by his assistance. Through our Lord.

THE GRADUAL: I will sing Your praise in the sight of the angels; I will worship in Your holy temple and give glory to Your Name, O Lord. Alleluia!

THE SECRET: O Lord, graciously accept the sacrifice of praise we offer You. May it bring us closer to our salvation through the angel's prayers of intercession. Through Christ, our Lord . . .

COMMUNION ANTIPHON: All you Angels of the Lord, bless the Lord; sing a hymn of praise and exalt Him above all forever.

POST-COMMUNION: O Lord God, send the holy Archangel Raphael to help us, so that he, who we believe stands always before Your Throne, may present our humble prayers for Your blessing. Through our Lord . 

St. Raphael, ora pro nobis!

This post was written by Mary Broussard, an SJCA pupil in the Rhetoric Stage of her curiculum.