Patron Saint of Healing
Patron saint: St. Raphael the Archangel · Feast day:
St. Raphael the Archangel is the patron saint of healing. His name in Hebrew means God heals — and his role as a divine healer is recorded directly in Sacred Scripture, making him unique among the patrons of the sick.
Who Is St. Raphael the Archangel?
St. Raphael is one of only three angels named in Sacred Scripture, alongside St. Michael and St. Gabriel. His name in Hebrew means God heals. He appears in the Book of Tobit, sent by God in human disguise to accompany young Tobias on a journey, protect him from a demon, provide the means to heal his father Tobit's blindness, and guide him to his wife Sarah. At the journey's end Raphael reveals his identity: I am Raphael, one of the seven angels who stand in the glorious presence of the Lord (Tobit 12:15). He describes himself as having presented Tobit's prayers before God — establishing him as both a healer and an intercessor. His feast day is September 29, shared with St. Michael and St. Gabriel on the Feast of the Archangels.
Why Is St. Raphael the Archangel the Patron Saint of Healing, the sick, physicians, travelers, the blind?
St. Raphael's patronage of healing comes directly from Scripture. In the Book of Tobit he is sent by God specifically to heal — he provides the remedy that restores Tobit's sight and liberates Sarah from a demonic affliction. His name, meaning God heals, signals that his healing work is not his own power but God's power working through him.
Raphael is also the patron of physicians and medical workers, of travelers (because he accompanied Tobias on a dangerous journey), and of those seeking a spouse (because he guided Tobias to his wife Sarah). His range of patronage reflects his Scriptural role as a multifaceted divine helper.
Catholics pray to St. Raphael when facing illness, surgery, or medical uncertainty — asking him to present their needs before God as he presented Tobit's prayers, and to bring the healing that God wills. He is particularly invoked before and after surgery and for those dealing with blindness or eye conditions.
Raphael is also the patron of physicians and medical workers, of travelers (because he accompanied Tobias on a dangerous journey), and of those seeking a spouse (because he guided Tobias to his wife Sarah). His range of patronage reflects his Scriptural role as a multifaceted divine helper.
Catholics pray to St. Raphael when facing illness, surgery, or medical uncertainty — asking him to present their needs before God as he presented Tobit's prayers, and to bring the healing that God wills. He is particularly invoked before and after surgery and for those dealing with blindness or eye conditions.
Prayer to St. Raphael the Archangel
St. Raphael the Archangel,
whose very name is the healing of God,
you walked with Tobias in his need
and brought back light where there was darkness.
Walk with those who are sick now —
with those awaiting a diagnosis,
with those in treatment,
with those whose bodies have grown tired of fighting.
Present our prayers before God
as you presented Tobit's prayers in the heights of heaven.
And bring us the healing that only God can give.
St. Raphael, pray for us. Amen.
San Rafael Arcángel,
cuyo nombre mismo es la sanación de Dios,
caminaste junto a Tobías en su necesidad
y devolviste la luz donde había oscuridad.
Camina junto a los que están enfermos ahora —
los que esperan un diagnóstico,
los que están en tratamiento,
los que tienen los cuerpos cansados de luchar.
Presenta nuestras oraciones ante Dios
como presentaste las oraciones de Tobit en los cielos.
Y tráenos la sanación que solo Dios puede dar.
San Rafael, ruega por nosotros. Amén.
Original composition by Rosarycard.net. Biographical information sourced from the Book of Tobit and Butler's Lives of the Saints.
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