St.
Raphael is first mentioned in the Book of Tobit, where he appeared
disguised in human form to Tobias, son of the blind man Tobit, and
traveled with him from Nineveh to Media. While they were in Media, the
Archangel told Tobias of Sarah, daughter of Raguel. Sarah had been
married seven previous times, but each time, on the night of the
wedding, her husband was abducted and slain by a demon. St. Raphael
convinced Tobias to present himself as a husband to Sarah, who accepted
him.
Sarah despaired that yet another of her husbands would be taken from her, and she prayed for her own death. Raphael banished the demon from her, and she and Tobias had a happy marriage. After the wedding feast, Tobias and Sarah return to Nineveh. There, Raphael cured Tobit’s blindness, revealed his true identity and returned to heaven.
Raphael's name means "God heals." This identity came about because of the biblical story which claims that he "healed" the earth when it was defiled by the sins of the fallen angels. He is also the patron of the blind, happy meetings, nurses, physicians and of travelers.
Sarah despaired that yet another of her husbands would be taken from her, and she prayed for her own death. Raphael banished the demon from her, and she and Tobias had a happy marriage. After the wedding feast, Tobias and Sarah return to Nineveh. There, Raphael cured Tobit’s blindness, revealed his true identity and returned to heaven.
Raphael's name means "God heals." This identity came about because of the biblical story which claims that he "healed" the earth when it was defiled by the sins of the fallen angels. He is also the patron of the blind, happy meetings, nurses, physicians and of travelers.
No comments:
Post a Comment