Raphael (2)

Raphael ST. (Lat. Sanctus Raphael; Ital. San Raffaello; Fr. St. Raphael; Germ. Der Helige Rafael), the same with the above, is considered the guardian angel of humanity. He was sent to warn Adam of the danger of sin, and its unhappy consequences.

"Be strong, live happy, and love! but first of all Him whom to love is to obey, and keep His great command. Take heed lest passion sway thy judgment to do aught which else free-will Would not admit. Thine and of all thy sons The weal or woe in thee is placed. Beware!" (Milton).

He was the herald who bore to the shepherds the "good tidings of great joy which shall be for all people." He is especially the protector of the young, the pilgrim, and the traveller. In the apocryphal romance, his watchful care of the young Tobias during his eventful journey is typical of his benignity and loving condescension towards those whom he protects. His countenance is represented as full of benignity. Devotional pictures portray him dressed as a pilgrim, with sandals; his hair bound with a diadem or a fillet; the staff in his hand, and a wallet, or panetiere, hung to his belt. As a guardian spirit, he bears the sword and a small casket, or vase, containing the "fishy charm" (Tobit 6:6) against evil spirits. As guardian angel, he usually leads Tobias. Murillo's painting, in the Leuchtenberg Gallery, represents him as the guardian angel of a bishop who appears as a votary below. St. Raphael is commemorated in the Church of Rome on Sept. 12.