RENews

LIGHT of HOPE

St Raphael the Archangel Feast Day

Last Sunday the parish celebrated the feast of St Raphael.  

Archangel Raphael is known to Catholics for his healing power-his is the Patron Saint of Healing. 

Unlike most saints, Raphael was never on earth in that human sense but rather spoken about in scripture through the Old Testament. He has always been a heavenly angel. 

He was declared a saint in honour of his work in helping humanity. As one of God's leading Archangels, Raphael serves people who need healing in body, mind, and spirit. Raphael's spiritual help through prayer aids people particular in health professions who seek this help. He is also a patron saint of young people, love, travel and joy. St. Raphael is one of the seven Archangels who stand before the throne of the Lord and one of the only three mentioned by name in the Bible. He appears, by name, only in the Book of Tobit (Tobit 12:15). Raphael's name means "God heals." Raphael is also mentioned together with Archangel Gabriel and Michael (Luke1:9–26; Jude 1:9). St. Raphael is also believed to be the archangel who healed the multitude of infirm at the pool of Bethesda (John 5:1-4).

Over the week, each year level learnt about our patron saint and celebrated his spiritual work and blessings.