I think it appropriate that I continue my series on the schools of the Meadows. Lets not forget who St. Raphaels school was named after. St. Raphael is one of seven Archangels who stand before the throne of the Lord. In Hebrew, the name of this Archangel means “the Shining One Who Heals.” According to the Old Testament Book of Tobit (which is considered “apocryphal by many Christians), Raphael was sent by God to help Tobit, Tobiah and Sarah. At the time, Tobit was blind and Tobiahs betrothed, Sarah, had had seven bridegrooms perish on the night of their weddings. Raphael accompanied Tobiah into Media disguised as a man named Azariah. Raphael helped him through his difficulties and taught him how to safely enter marriage with Sarah. Tobiah said that Raphael made it possible to marry his wife. He also thanked Raphael for giving him the ability to give joy to Sarahs parents by driving out the evil spirit in her. He also gave Raphael credit for his fathers seeing the light of heaven and for receiving all good things through his intercession. Besides Raphael, Michael and Gabriel are the only Archangels mentioned by name in the bible. Raphael’s identity as a healer came from the biblical story which claims that he healed the earth when it was defiled by the sins of the fallen angels. This story appears in the apocryphal book of Enoch. Raphael is also identified as the angel who moved the waters of the healing sheep pool. Raphael is the patron saint of druggists, health inspectors, lovers, blind people, happy meetings, nurses, physicians, travelers, and young people leaving home. His feast day is celebrated on either September 29th or October 24th . There were many lovers in the Meadows, and we all know that love is blind!
Posted on: Tue, 30 Dec 2014 22:18:09 +0000
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