Raphael is one of seven archangels who stand before the Lord (Tobias xii. 15), and one of the three named in the Bible, together with Michael and Gabriel. The name Raphael means “God has healed.” In the Book of Tobias he appears at first disguised in human form as the travelling companion of the younger Tobias, calling himself “Azarias the son of the great Ananias.”
Dom Prosper Guéranger:
The approach of the great solemnity which will soon be shedding on us all the splendours of Heaven seems to inspire the Church with a profound recollection. Except for the homage she must needs pay, on their own date, to the glorious Apostles Simon and Jude, only a few feasts of simple rite break the silence of these last days of October. Our souls must be in conformity with the dispositions of our common Mother. It will not, however, be out of keeping to give a thought to the great Archangel honoured today by many particular churches. The ministry fulfilled in our regard by the heavenly spirits is admirably set forth in the graceful scenes depicted in the history of Tobias. Rehearsing the good services of the guide and friend, whom he still called his brother Azarias, the younger Tobias said to his father: “Father, what wages will we give him! or what can be worthy of his benefits! He conducted me and brought me safe again, he received the money of Gabelus, he caused me to have my wife, and he chased from her the evil spirit, he gave joy to her parents, myself he delivered from being devoured by the fish, you also he has made to see the light of Heaven, and we are filled with all good things from him” (Tobias xii. 2‒3).
And when father and son endeavoured, after the fashion of men, to return thanks to him who had rendered them such good service, the Angel discovered himself to them in order to refer their gratitude to their supreme Benefactor. “Bless you the God of Heaven, give glory to Him in the sight of all that live, because He has shown His mercy to you... When you prayed with tears and buried the dead... I offered your prayer to the Lord. And because you were acceptable to God, it was necessary that temptation should prove you. And now the Lord has sent me to heal you, and to deliver Sarah your son’s wife from the devil. For I am the Angel Raphael, one of the seven, who stand before the Lord... Peace be to you, fear not... bless Him and sing praises to Him” Tobias (xii. 6‒18).
We too will celebrate the blessings of Heaven. For as surely as Tobias beheld with his bodily eyes the Archangel Raphael, we know by faith that the Angel of the Lord accompanies us from the cradle to the tomb. Let us have the same trustful confidence in Him. Then, along the path of life, more beset with perils than the road to the country of the Medes, we will be in perfect safety. All that happens to us will be for the best because prepared by our Lord and, as though we were already in Heaven, our Angel will cause us to shed blessings on all around us.Also on this day according to the ROMAN MARTYROLOGY:
At Venosa in Basilicata, the birthday of the holy martyrs Felix, African bishop, Audactus and Januarius, priests, Fortunatus and Septimus, lectors. In the time of Diocletian, after having been a long time loaded with fetters and imprisoned in Africa and Sicily by the governor Magdellian, as Felix refused absolutely to deliver the sacred books, according to the emperor’s edict, they finally closed their lives by being beheaded.
At Nagran in Arabia, Felix, the passion of the Saint Aretas and his companions, to the number of three hundred and forty, in the time of the emperor Justin under the Jewish tyrant Dunaan. After them was burned alive a Christian woman whose son, five years old, confessed Christ lisping, and as he could neither by caresses nor threats be stopped, he rushed into the fire in which his mother was burning.
At Cologne, St. Evergistus, bishop and martyr.
At Constantinople, St. Proclus, bishop.
In Bretagne, the departure from this life of St. Maglorious, bishop, whose body rests at Paris.
In Campania, St. Mark, solitary, whose renowned actions have been recorded by St. Gregory.
And in other places, many other holy martyrs, confessors and virgins.
Thanks be to God.
