Raphael is the archangel of healing, whose very name proclaims God's restorative power. He is the celestial physician, healing both physical ailments and spiritual wounds. Raphael also serves as a guardian and guide, especially for those on journeys. His role combines compassion with practical assistance, making him one of the most accessible and beloved of the archangels. He is invoked for protection from illness, success in travel, and deliverance from demonic oppression.
Raphael's most extensive appearance is in the deuterocanonical Book of Tobit. Disguised as a human traveler named "Azariah," Raphael accompanies the young Tobias on a journey to recover a debt. Along the way, Raphael: protects Tobias from a monstrous fish, teaches him to use its organs for healing, drives away the demon Asmodeus who had killed seven previous suitors of Sarah, facilitates Tobias's marriage to Sarah, and heals Tobit's blindness. At the journey's end, Raphael reveals his true identity, saying "I am Raphael, one of the seven angels who stand ready and enter before the glory of the Lord."
Some Christian traditions associate Raphael with the "angel of the Lord" who stirred the waters at the Pool of Bethesda in Jerusalem, where Jesus healed a paralyzed man. This connection emphasizes Raphael's role in mediating divine healing.
Raphael represents God's desire to restore wholeness to His creation. His healing ministry encompasses not just physical ailments but also spiritual and emotional wounds. In Catholic tradition, Raphael is the patron saint of doctors, nurses, travelers, and the blind. His story in Tobit demonstrates that God sends angelic help in practical, tangible ways, often in disguise, to guide and protect His people through life's journeys.