Saint Raphael is one of the three archangels mentioned in the Bible. His name means "God heals". He is therefore the patron saint of healers and healing. In the Bible, he accompanies and protects young Tobias on his journey (Tobit 5:4-10). The Church therefore also sees him as the patron saint of travellers and guardian angel par excellence. Tradition has it that he stirs the waters of the Pool of Bethesda in Jerusalem and brings about healings:"For at intervals the angel of the Lord came down into the pool, and the water was disturbed, and the first person to enter the water after this disturbance was cured of any ailment he suffered from. (John 5:4)
He is celebrated, along with the other archangels Gabriel and Michael, on 29 September.