Saint Raphael has been one of my closest saint-friends since I was 15 years old and my grandmother gifted me with a prayer card to take with me on a trip overseas. He’s considered a patron of travellers and healer of physical ailments, and it’s become routine for me to recite the prayer, which I've committed to memory, each time we travel as well as during times of sickness. Among all the times I’ve experienced the benefit of his intercession, one particular instance stands out. I was living in Chicago at the time and preparing to move to a new apartment, so my dad was making the 3-hour, 185-mile drive from my hometown in Michigan to help me with the move. A standard stop along the way is Michigan City, Indiana — a good place to stretch your legs and refuel in preparation for sitting in ever-present Chicago traffic jams. Only, when my dad stopped to refuel on this particular day, he realized he’d forgotten his wallet and had no way to pay for the gas. In addition, his fuel tank was already signaling “E!”  He called me in a bit of distress to relay the situation, and I said to him, “Not to worry —  let’s ask St. Raphael for help. Just start driving, make it as far as you can, and I’ll come get you when you run out of gas.”  With that we prayed the prayer together, and he continued to make as much of the remaining 65-mile trek as he could on the little fuel he had left. Not only did my dad make it the entire 65 miles — all the way to my front door, but despite the fact that he’d sat in stop-and-go Chicago traffic for 45 minutes, he arrived with more fuel in the tank than when he’d left Michigan City! To this day I appeal to St. Raphael for protection not only each time we travel anywhere but when I feel anxious about the safety of my children. Surrendering them to his care gives me great peace because I know from firsthand experience what a truly present and powerful helper he is.

Glorious Archangel Saint Raphael, great prince of the heavenly court, you are illustrious for your gifts of wisdom and grace.

You are a guide of those who journey by land or sea or air, consoler of the afflicted, and refuge of sinners. I beg you, assist me in all my needs and in all the sufferings of this life, as once you helped the young Tobias on his travels.

Because you are the medicine of God, I humbly pray to you to heal the many infirmities of my soul and the ills that afflict my body. I especially ask of you the favour (mention your request here) and the great grace of purity to prepare me to be the temple of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

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Jessica C. is the founder of The Living Heart Co, a digital arts company that specializes in hand drawn prints of the saints. 

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