Saint: San Raphael/Saint Rafael

José Aragón, New Mexico, Active 1820-1835 Gesso, and water-soluble paint on wood 10” x 7” History Collection NMHM, 2007.32.205

Raphael is the patron saint of travelers and the blind. He is one of the archangels, along with Michael and Gabriel. In one story, he disguises himself as a human, and accompanies Tobias on a journey to help his blind father, Tobit. Raphael instructs Tobias to catch a fish and use the gall as an ointment to cure his father’s blindness. Raphael is dressed in pilgrim’s clothes and holds a staff in one hand and a fish in the other.