Tag: Mental Health

According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the existence of the spiritual, non-corporeal beings that Sacred Scripture usually calls “angels” is a truth of faith. The witness of Scripture is as clear as the unanimity of Tradition.

St. Augustine says: “‘Angel’ is the name of their office, not of their nature. If you seek the name of their nature, it is ‘spirit’; if you seek the name of their office, it is ‘angel’: from what they are, ‘spirit’, from what they do, ‘angel.'”

With their whole beings the angels are servants and messengers of God.  Because they “always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven” they are the “mighty ones who do his word, hearkening to the voice of his word”.

According to the Traditional Roman Rite, October 24 is the feast of Saint Raphael the Archangel. 

St. Raphael is one of the seven Archangels who stand before the throne of God. He is known as the healer.  Raphael’s name, in fact, means ‘God’s Healing’.  St. Raphael is helpful in bringing healing to body and soul, charity and deliverance. He is powerful and heals all forms of maladies in both humans and animals.

Most of our knowledge of the Archangel Raphael comes to us from the Book of Tobias. Because of his mission as a wonderful healer and the fellow traveller, guide and counsellor of young Tobias, St. Raphael is invoked for journeys and at any critical moment in life. Tradition also holds that Raphael is the angel that stirred the waters at the healing sheep pool in Bethesda.

Saint Raphael, the healer is recorded as having helped Tobias make balms and ointments from fish to cure Tobit’s (Tobias’s father) blindness.  The Archangel Raphael healed Abraham of the pain of circumcision, an operation the patriarch had avoided until late in his life. He also cured the disjointed thigh Jacob suffered while wrestling with the angel.

Saint Raphael is also called the Angel of Science and Knowledge. He is often referred to as ‘Regent’ or ‘Angel of the Sun’. Because of his bright countenance, his sanguine and companionable treatment of Tobias, St. Raphael is considered the most sociable of the archangels; it is imagined that he has the best sense of humor and the happiest disposition. It is said that Raphael delights in bringing health and happiness everywhere he goes.

Prayers for St. Raphael’s Intercession

Saint Raphael Prayer
Blessed Saint Raphael, Archangel, We beseech thee to help us in all our needs and trials of this life, as thou, through the power of God, didst restore sight and give guidance to young Tobit. We humbly seek thine aid and intercession, that our souls may be healed, our bodies protected from all ills, and that through divine grace we may be made fit to dwell in the eternal Glory of God in heaven.
Amen.

St. Raphael Prayer for Healing
Glorious Archangel St. Raphael, great prince of the heavenly court, you are illustrious for your gifts of wisdom and grace. You are a guide of those who journey by land or sea or air, consoler of the afflicted, and refuge of sinners. I beg you, assist me in all my needs and in all the sufferings of this life, as once you helped the young Tobias on his travels. Because you are the “medicine of God” I humbly pray you to heal the many infirmities of my soul and the ills that afflict my body. I especially ask of you the favor (here mention your special intention), and the great grace of purity to prepare me to be the temple of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

Prayer to Saint Raphael Before a Trip
Dear St. Raphael, your lovely name means “God heals.” The Lord sent you to young Tobias to guide him throughout a long journey. Upon his return you taught him how to cure his father’s blindness. How natural, therefore, for Christians to pray for your powerful help for safe travel and a happy return. This is what we ask for ourselves as well as for all who are far from home.
Amen.

Prayer for Protection From All Evil
Most Holy Mother, Queen of the Angels and Archangels, send me your Champion, the Archangel Saint Raphael, let him heal me of all my spiritual and physical ailments in JESUS’ HOLY NAME. May he protect me from satan and all the evil spirits. Saint Raphael be my guide and protector on my journey through life. O’ glorious Saint Raphael the Archangel, herald of blessings, pray for us!
Amen.

NOVENA TO ST. RAPHAEL THE ARCHANGEL

(Pray for 9 days or 9 hours straight)

Recite one Our Father, one Hail Mary and one Glory Be…

Glorious Archangel St. Raphael, great prince of the heavenly court, you are illustrious for your gifts of wisdom and grace. You are a guide of those who journey by land or sea or air, consoler of the afflicted, and refuge of sinners.

Recite one Glory Be…

We beg you, assist ­­­­______________ in all his/her needs and in all the sufferings of this life, as once you helped the young Tobias on his travels. Because you are the medicine of God,” we humbly pray you to heal the many infirmities of his/her soul and the ills that afflict his/her body.

Recite one Glory Be…

We especially ask of you the favor, the intercession of conversion of heart and the great grace of purity, to prepare ________, to be the temple of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Recite one Glory Be…

St. Raphael, of the glorious seven who stand before the throne of Him who lives and reigns, Angel of health, the Lord has filled your hand with balm from heaven to soothe or cure our pains. Heal or cure the victim of disease. And guide our steps when doubtful of our ways.

May God hear and answer our prayer according to His holy will and for His greater glory.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord, AMEN.

Saint Raphael the Archangel Chaplets from Virgo Sacrata

Virgo Sacrata

VIRGÓ SACRÁTA is a Christian mission-driven online resource and shop inspired from the beauty of Catholic faith, tradition, and arts. Our mission is to “Restore All Things to Christ!”, in continuing the legacy of Pope St. Pius X under the patronage of the Blessed Virgin Mary. “Who is she that cometh forth as the morning rising, fair as the moon, bright as the sun, terrible as an army set in battle array?” O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to Thee.

www.virgosacrata.com