St. Raphael Medals | Healing Archangel Necklace

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is St. Raphael the Archangel the patron saint of?

St. Raphael the Archangel is the patron saint of travelers, doctors, nurses, pharmacists, the blind, young people, and happy meetings. His wide-ranging patronage flows directly from the Book of Tobit, where he escorted young Tobias on a long journey, arranged a blessed marriage, healed Tobit's blindness, and delivered Sarah from demonic affliction — all in a single mission. Because his name means "God heals" in Hebrew, he has been invoked by the sick and by those who care for them throughout the history of the Church.

What is the story of St. Raphael in the Bible?

St. Raphael's story appears in the Book of Tobit, one of the deuterocanonical books of the Old Testament accepted by Catholics and Orthodox Christians. He disguised himself as a human kinsman named Azariah and accompanied young Tobias from Nineveh to Media, guiding him to catch a fish whose organs would later be used to drive away the demon Asmodeus and heal Tobit's blindness. At the end of the journey, Raphael revealed his true identity, telling Tobit and Tobias, "I am Raphael, one of the seven angels who stand and serve before the Glory of the Lord," before ascending from their sight. The story is one of the most complete and narratively detailed accounts of angelic activity in all of Scripture.

What is the difference between St. Michael, St. Gabriel, and St. Raphael?

Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael are the three archangels named in the canonical Bible, and each carries a distinct role and meaning. Michael — whose name means "Who is like God?" — is the warrior archangel, leader of the heavenly armies and protector against evil, celebrated especially as patron of soldiers and first responders. Gabriel — "God is my strength" — is the messenger archangel who announced the Incarnation to Mary and the birth of John the Baptist to Zechariah. Raphael — "God heals" — is the healing and guiding archangel, the divine companion of travelers and the intercessor for the sick. All three share a feast day on September 29, celebrated together as the Feast of the Archangels.

When is the Feast of St. Raphael the Archangel?

The Feast of St. Raphael the Archangel is celebrated on September 29, a date shared with St. Michael and St. Gabriel in the current Roman calendar. Prior to the 1969 liturgical reform, Raphael had his own feast on October 24, but the three archangels were combined into a single celebration now known as the Feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, Archangels. September 29 is one of the most significant days in the Catholic liturgical year for devotees of the archangels, and it is a popular occasion for gifting archangel medals, attending special Masses, and renewing prayers of protection and healing.

What does a St. Raphael medal look like?

A St. Raphael medal typically depicts the archangel in flowing robes with large wings, carrying a tall staff and a fish — the two most recognizable symbols from the Book of Tobit. Some designs show him accompanied by the young Tobias, evoking the guardian-companion role at the heart of his story. The reverse of the medal often bears a short prayer or the inscription "St. Raphael, pray for us." Our medals are struck in sterling silver, 14kt gold filled, and 14kt solid gold, with crisp detail that honors the traditional iconography of this beloved archangel.

Are your St. Raphael medals made in the USA?

Yes — every St. Raphael medal we carry is made in the USA by Bliss Manufacturing, a trusted name in Catholic religious jewelry with a long history of producing high-quality devotional pieces. Bliss medals are struck from solid sterling silver, 14kt gold filled metal, or 14kt solid gold, and each one is backed by our lifetime guarantee against tarnish, breakage, and fading. We believe a medal meant to accompany someone through illness, travel, or a lifetime of faith should be built to last, which is why we stand behind every piece we sell with a no-questions-asked replacement policy.

The Story of St. Raphael the Archangel

Raphael is one of only three angels identified by name in the canonical Bible, and his story unfolds with remarkable narrative richness in the deuterocanonical Book of Tobit. The elderly Tobit, struck blind and in desperate circumstances in Nineveh, and the young Sarah in Media, tormented by the demon Asmodeus who had killed each of her seven husbands on their wedding night, both prayed to God on the same day. God heard them both and dispatched Raphael. The archangel appeared in human form as Azariah, a kinsman willing to accompany young Tobias on the long journey to collect a debt. Along the way, Raphael instructed Tobias to catch a fish and preserve its heart, liver, and gall. He guided Tobias to Sarah, whom he married safely after using the fish's organs to drive away Asmodeus. On their return, Tobias applied the fish's gall to his father's eyes, and Tobit's twenty-year blindness was instantly healed. Raphael then revealed his angelic identity, declaring that he had been sent to test and heal Tobit and to deliver Sarah. His mission complete, he ascended before their eyes. The name Raphael in Hebrew — Refa'el — means simply "God heals," a title that has defined his patronage across every century of Catholic devotion.

Why Catholics Wear a St. Raphael the Archangel Medal

The tradition of wearing a St. Raphael medal is rooted in his scriptural role as divine escort, healer, and protector of those on a journey — both physical and spiritual. Medal imagery typically depicts Raphael as a winged archangel in travel garb, often carrying a staff and a fish, the two most iconic symbols from the Book of Tobit. Some medals show him with a pilgrim's gourd or accompanying a young Tobias at his side, recalling the guardian role he played on that ancient road. Because he escorted Tobias safely across hostile territory, Raphael is invoked by travelers before long journeys, and his medal is often tucked into a bag or worn on a chain throughout a trip. Because he healed Tobit's blindness and delivered Sarah from affliction, he is the patron of those facing illness, medical procedures, and recovery — and the healthcare workers who tend them. Young people setting out on their own for the first time carry a particular resonance with the story of Tobias, a young man guided by an unseen divine companion. The medal is not merely an ornament; it is a declaration that the wearer trusts in a God who sends help, healing, and safe passage.

Our St. Raphael the Archangel Medal Collection

Our St. Raphael medals are made in the USA by Bliss Manufacturing, a family-owned company with decades of experience producing Catholic religious jewelry to the highest standards of craftsmanship. Every medal is available in sterling silver, 14kt gold filled, and 14kt solid gold, with multiple sizes ranging from petite to large statement pendants. Chain lengths typically run 18 or 20 inches, and many styles are available on 24-inch chains for layering. All medals ship with a lifetime guarantee — if your medal ever tarnishes, breaks, or fades, we will replace it. Orders over $40 ship free. If you are building a devotional collection of all three named archangels, pair your St. Raphael medal with our St. Michael medals and St. Gabriel medals. For those drawn to angelic protection more broadly, our Guardian Angel medals make a beautiful companion piece. Healthcare professionals may also want to explore our patron saint of doctors landing page for additional options.

Giving a St. Raphael Medal as a Gift

The most natural moment to give a St. Raphael medal is September 29, the Feast of the Archangels — a date shared with Michael and Gabriel — when Catholic families, schools, and parishes celebrate all three heavenly messengers together. It is a meaningful gift for a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or medical student at the time of their white coat ceremony or graduation from a healthcare program, where the weight of a healing vocation is first formally acknowledged. A St. Raphael medal is also one of the most thoughtful gifts you can bring to someone who has just received a difficult diagnosis or is preparing for surgery, offering not sympathy alone but the tangible reminder of a God who heals. Parents frequently give a Raphael medal to a child leaving home for college, a gap year abroad, or a mission trip — invoking the same protection Raphael gave Tobias on his first great journey away from home. Every medal ships in gift-ready packaging, and orders over $40 qualify for free shipping, making it easy to send directly to the recipient wherever they are on their own road.