GOOD SHEPHERD CHURCH SEMINARY; DOCTOR OF HEALING MINISTRY LESSON FIFTEEN/ PATRONS OF HEALING PART TWO; ARCHANGEL RAPHAEL

Patrons of Healing; Archangel Raphael

      

    Archangel Michael is not the only angelic healer - all angels carry the healing ministry within them.

  There are seven Angels standing in the sight of God [Revelation 8;2].

In Enoch 1, they are named as Gabriel, Michael, Raphael, Uriel, Raguel, Remiel and Saraquel. The Archangels form one of the nine orders of Angels; they are the warriors who do battle with demonic forces.

Raphael the Archangel - God's Physician

This Archangel of healing visited a monk in 1278 while the plague raged all over Andalusia. Raphael promised to protect the people of the city from the epidemic; and did so.

  Thereafter in the sixteenth century, Raphael made a series of heavenly visitations in Cordova, Spain. The Archangel appeared to a seriously ill friar, Padre Andres de las Roelas.

  During his apparitions Raphael revealed he would save the city from the plague. Immediately after his promise, people ceased dying in Cordova. God had sent His Angel to protect the city.

  Raphael appeared a number of times to a Portuguese-born soldier turned health-care worker, named Joao Duarte Cidade, known today as St John of God.

  He encouraged and instructed Joao to found an organization to care for those with mental disabilities. The organization flourished through the centuries, and continues in full service today. Many of the Brothers Hospitallers of St John of God's facilities are called 'Raphael Centers' in the Archangel's honor.

  Many people claim to have been visited by this luminous Angel of Healing, including Anna Maria Gallo in the eighteenth century. Raphael healed her of illness.

Raphael the Healer

Raphael's name has been ascribed various meanings; among them 'God's Physician', 'God has healed', 'The shining one who heals', 'God's Medicine', 'God's Remedy', 'Divine Healer.'

  It is clear that this highly trusted Angel of God carries out works of mercy and charity.

  A day of festival [feast day] is celebrated annually in his honor on 24th October. 
In the hymns of the Church Office, the healing power of the Archangel and his strength in combating demonic forces is celebrated.

  Raphael's name appears in the Book of Tobias, in the Septuagint. The Archangel is said to have appeared disguised in human form as the traveling companion of young Tobias. The narrative relates that Raphael healed the elder Tobias' blindness. 
  Raphael further broke the power of demonic influence which had been troubling the family.

Raphael also blessed the marriage of Sara and Tobias, bringing peace to their union.

  Thus Raphael is seen as healer not only of physical ailments, but also healer of demonic contamination and of troubled family relationships. 1

Raphael, the Divine Healer, is accredited to have been at work at Jerusalem, in the days of Jesus Christ.

  Raphael carried out healings in the pool called Bethsaida by the sheepgate. In the five porticoes surrounding that pool there constantly gathered a multitude of sick people. They patiently awaited the action of the Angel upon the water of the pool

  This action immediately cured the first person who descended into the pool.

'An Angel of the LORD used to come down at certain times into the pool and the water was moved. And he that went down first into the pool after the motion of the water, was cured of whatever infirmity he had.' 2

Foremost Archangel

As a foremost Archangel, the roles Raphael carries out are diverse. Raphael is Patron of travellers; he also heals the sick and injured, having been granted the gift of healing by GOD.

  Raphael is known as the Patron of healing, of Pharmacists and Matchmakers.

Raphael is the Archangel of GOD's mercy and light, mandated to visit humanity in order to bring healing to many.

  This Archangel is the medicine of GOD. He comes to relieve the ills of all burdens, sufferings and to restore GOD's people to the truth of GOD's Love and Mercy.

  Raphael gives graces to those in need. These graces have been given over to him by GOD.

  Raphael is said to guard pilgrims on their journeys. He also rescues people from the power of the devil.

Holy Raphael says in the book of Tobit, 'Thank GOD. Give HIM the praise and the glory. Before all the living, acknowledge the many good things HE has done for you, by blessing and extolling HIS NAME in song. Before all men, honor and proclaim GOD's deeds, and do not be slack in praising HIM. A king's secret is prudent to keep, but the works of GOD are to be made known with due honor. Do good, and evil will not find its way to you.' 3

Raphaelic Healing Today

Miraculous healings through the intercession of the great Archangel continue all over the world. Testimonials to Raphael's healing ministry continue to flourish.

  Sufferers speak of being healed of fever, breathing difficulties, ulcers, pain, infections, Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, Cardiac issues and many more. 4

  The health-giving ministry of Saint Raphael may still be seen in the miraculous cures that have taken place up to our own times in many of the sacred Shrines throughout the world.  4 and 5

Guardian Angels

Other angels who assist with protection, guidance and healing are the guardian angels. Every individual person is held to have a guardian angel.

  Jesus explained that each child has an angel in heaven. 'I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the Face of My Father in Heaven.' 6

  Each guardian angel has been commissioned since birth to guard a particular person.

Ancients believed in the protection of their guardian angel. Menander and Plutarch believed in guardian angels. Neo-Platonists such as Plotinus, also held this belief. It was the belief of the Babylonians and Assyrians.

  Nabopolassar - father of Nebuchadnezzar the Great - said; 'He [Marduk] sent a tutelary deity [cherubs] of grace to go at my side; in everything that I did, he made my work to succeed.' 7

  Guardian angels - missioned angels - guard and protect their charge. They intercept at many junctures of our lives, and help wherever they can to ease our lives.

  They can guide by inspiring a thought, answering a prayer, or giving us strength in times of need.

  Angels have been documented throughout the scriptures, helping in times of extreme need; Paul was released from prison by an angel. 8

  Jesus was comforted in His agonizing fear in the Garden of Gethsemane by a comforting Archangel, widely believed to be Gabriel. 9

  Angels comforted the sorrowing women and gave the joyous news of Christ's Resurrection. 10

  Angels saved David from a cruel death. 11 

Peter was rescued from jail by an Angel. 12

  Testimonies over the centuries and from all over the world in our present day attest to the ongoing protection and assistance guardian angels have given.

Why do Angels heal?

  Angels heal because they have been mandated by our Compassionate and Beneficent GOD to do so. Also, to heal, protect and comfort is integral to a righteous angel's nature. They were created in love, and are loving. Angels succour us as humans on our journey through life; many a prayer has been quietly dealt with, unsung, by angels.

  Here I would like to pay tribute to my own guardian angel who has protected me throughout my life.

  Let us remain joyful as we thank both God and angels for the healing they bring humanity. As Psalm 91;11 says, 'For HE will command HIS angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.'

Footnotes

[1] Old Testament; Book of Tobit

[2] New Testament; Gospel of St John Chapter 5, verse 4

[3] Old Testament; Book of Tobit Chapter 12, verses 6 to 8

[4] Archangel Saint Raphael Holy Healing Ministry. 2015. http:// www.straphaeloil.com / testimonies/

[5] EWTN, Global Catholic Network. St Michael, St Gabriel and St Raphael.

http: //www.ewtn.com /saintsHoly/ saints/A/archangels. asp

[6] New Testament; Gospel of St Matthew Chapter 18, verse 10

[7] Knight, Kevin. Guardian Angel. 2012. http: //www.newadvent.org/ cathen /07049c. htm

[8] New Testament; Acts of the Apostles Chapter 5; verse 19

[9] New Testament; Gospel of St Luke Chapter 22, verse 43

[10] New Testament; Gospel of St Luke Chapter 24; verses 4 to 8

[11] Old Testament; Book of Daniel Chapter 6, verses 19 to 22

[12] New Testament; Acts of the Apostles Chapter 12; verses 6 to 10

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Lesson One
http://lumierecharity.blogspot.ie/2014/09/good-shepherd-church-seminary-doctor-of.html

Lesson Two
http://lumierecharity.blogspot.ie/2015/12/good-shepherd-church-seminary-doctor-of.html

Lesson Three
http://lumierecharity.blogspot.ie/2015/12/good-shepherd-church-seminary-doctor-of_52.html

Lesson Four
http://lumierecharity.blogspot.ie/2015/12/good-shepherd-church-seminary-doctor-of_37.html

Lesson Five
http://lumierecharity.blogspot.ie/2016/01/good-shepherd-church-seminary-doctor-of.html

Lesson Six
http://lumierecharity.blogspot.ie/2016/01/good-shepherd-church-seminary-doctor-of_3.html

Lesson Seven
http://lumierecharity.blogspot.ie/2016/01/good-shepherd-church-seminary-doctor-of_4.html

Lesson Eight
http://lumierecharity.blogspot.ie/2016/03/good-shepherd-church-seminary-doctor-of.html

Lesson Nine
http://lumierecharity.blogspot.ie/2016/03/good-shepherd-church-seminary-doctor-of_15.html

Lesson Ten
http://lumierecharity.blogspot.ie/2016/04/good-shepherd-church-seminary-doctor-of.html

Lesson Eleven
http://lumierecharity.blogspot.ie/2016/04/good-shepherd-church-seminary-doctor-of_4.html

Lesson Twelve
http://lumierecharity.blogspot.ie/2016/04/good-shepherd-church-seminary-doctor-of_5.html

Lesson Thirteen
http://lumierecharity.blogspot.ie/2016/04/good-shepherd-church-seminary-doctor-of_6.html

Lesson Fourteen
http://lumierecharity.blogspot.ie/2016/04/good-shepherd-church-seminary-doctor-of_8.html
Disclaimer; The information on this post is meant for information only. The information is not meant to replace your Doctor or Health professional or Herbalist care