April 6, 2018 at 1:53 p.m.
TEEN PERSPECTIVE
St. Raphael, by my side through illness and change
St. Raphael, by my side through illness and change
Choosing a confirmation name is a pretty big deal when accepting your faith. After all, my name, Joseph, has been with me since my birth and will stay with me for the rest of my life. It is the first thing people learn about me. It has become my identity.
A name is more than just a word. It has meaning and defines family history, personality, identity and much more. This has made me realize that a crucial part in the process of being confirmed into the Catholic faith -- choosing a saint's name for confirmation -- is an important decision that will reflect on me for the rest of my spiritual life.
The name I end up choosing needs not only to express my Catholic faith, but also needs to represent something important in my life. This is one of the first independent decisions I make that will last for the rest of my life, and I don't want to waste it.
I'd like my confirmation name to mean something and represent my spiritual identity. In thinking about this important decision, I had to consider many factors, including my spiritual past, personal experiences and plan for the future. After much thinking, I am interested in the confirmation name "Raphael," after St. Raphael the Archangel, the patron saint of safe journeys and bodily ills.
St. Raphael is one of the seven archangels who are said to accompany God in heaven. He is one of three mentioned by name in the Bible, along with Ss. Michael and Gabriel. Raphael is mentioned in the book of Tobit, where it is revealed that his name means "God heals." This originates from a story in the book of Enoch, where it is said that he heals a world that had been defiled with sin.
St. Raphael is known as a healer and a protector. He travels with Tobit's son, Tobias, and not only keeps him safe on his travels, but also heals his blindness and drives the demons out of his wife-to-be, Sarah. He allows Tobias to see the light of God.
Raphael is also made reference to in the Gospel of John: In chapter five, John writes that the angel descends into the pool at Bethesda and heals any ailments of the sick who bathe in it. St. Raphael's feast day, shared with Ss. Michael and Gabriel, is Sept. 29.
In my research on St. Raphael the Archangel, I found many connections to my life. First, Raphael is a healer and the patron saint of bodily ills. Over the past few months, I have struggled immensely with pains in my legs. It has limited me both mentally and physically.
The pain and uncertainty have been a serious concern. I've had to miss school, go to the ER in the middle of the night, have procedures done and visit several doctors, with few answers. It has gotten bad enough that, on several occasions, I've just wanted to give up.
I'm extremely fortunate to have friends, family, teachers and God, who all care about me. Through their unconditional love and prayer, I find a way to keep going and to stay optimistic. This is a major reason I decided to pick St. Raphael the Archangel as my confirmation name: so that I have a constant reminder and guidance throughout my spiritual life that, when things get hard and it's painful, God is always there for me and will answer my prayers.
I know someday this ailment will pass. I feel that I am closer to that point than ever, but I always want to have a reminder that everything is possible with faith and the help of God.
The second reason I chose Raphael is that he is also the patron saint of safe journeys and travels. This is important to me, because I am getting ready within the next few years to move on in my life, spiritually and educationally.
There is some uncertainty that comes with going to new places and moving on to new things, but there is great joy in it, as well. I would like to have a presence in my life that reminds me that, no matter where I go or what new things I encounter, I will always have someone by my side. When I'm older, I want to see the world and go to new places, and I want my confirmation name to represent that.
I feel a strong connection between my personal experiences and what St. Raphael represents. Choosing a confirmation name is a meaningful process that helps Catholics learn to understand and accept their faith on a new level.[[In-content Ad]]
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