We don’t find the archangel Raphael mentioned in the traditional scriptures. To find Raphael mentioned by name, we go to the Book of Tobit, a book considered canonical by the Roman Catholic Church and Orthodox Christians.

In the Book of Tobit, we read of Raphael appearing disguised in human form as the traveling companion of the younger Tobias, calling himself “Azarias the son of the great Ananias”.

During the course of the journey, Raphael demonstrates his protective influence in many ways, including the binding of the demon in the desert of Upper Egypt. After returning and healing the elder Tobit of blindness, Azarias makes himself known as “the angel Raphael, one of the seven, who stand before the Lord” Tobit12:15.

Regarding the healing powers attributed to Raphael, all we have to go on is his declaration to Tobit (Tobit, 12) that he was sent by the Lord to heal him of his blindness and to deliver Sarah, his daughter-in-law, from the demon prince Asmodeus. Regardless, scholars consider him the archangel that supervises healers on Earth. In fact, his name means “God has healed.”

It is common to ask Raphael for help when you are in pain – physical, emotional, romantic, intellectual, or spiritual. Raphael the healer will inspire you with sudden ideas and thoughts, giving you just the right information to help the healing process. Those who invoke the aid of Raphael for assistance report that the healing angel surrounds and nurtures people with the emerald green light of his halo. Green is the color of healing, and some people see emerald green sparkles when Raphael is present.

Unless the person’s death or illness is part of God’s overall divine plan, Raphael will gladly supply whatever necessary to promote healing. Some claim Raphael blames illness on negative thinking and will not immediately help those who refuse to help themselves first. In such cases, Raphael insists the person hand over all lingering anger and negative thoughts to him for cleansing in the light. Healing occurs only after the negative energies are washed away.

It is claimed that Raphael coaches and motivates healers, whispering instruction to doctors, surgeons, psychologists, nurses, and other caregivers. Scientists frequently are inspired by the spirit of the healing angel to continue their important work on creating new medicines for healing.

John 5:1-4 refers to the pool called Probatica, where the infirm lay awaiting the moving of the water, for “an angel of the Lord descended at certain times into the pond; and the water was moved. And he that went down first into the pond after the motion of the water was made whole of whatsoever infirmity he lay under”. Many think the angel of the Lord mentioned here is Raphael himself. God charged this archangel to heal the earth and gave him a special charge of protecting the young, the innocent, and travelers. He serves as regent of the sun, Patron of Travelers, Chief of the order of Virtues and overseer of evening winds. Generally associated with spring and rebirth, he is the angel of prayer, love, joy, providence, healing, light, science and knowledge.

But more than anything, we think of Raphael as the angel of healing and the promise of good health.