℣. O God, come to our assistance; 
℟. O Lord, make haste to help us. 

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost: as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. 
Amen. 

Let us pray: 
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. We beg you, assist us in all our 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, we humbly pray you to heal the many infirmities of our soul and the ills that afflict our bodies. We especially ask of you the favor of intervening on behalf of those affected by abuse, that they may find healing and justice, and the great grace of purity to prepare us to be the temple of the Holy Spirit. 
Amen. 

Lord, have mercy on us. 
   Christ have mercy on us. 
Lord have mercy on us, Christ hear us. 
   Christ graciously hear us. 

God the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us. 
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us. God the Holy Ghost, have mercy on us. 
Holy Trinity, One God, have mercy on us. 
Holy Mary, Queen of Angels, pray for us. 
Saint Raphael, pray for us. 
St. Raphael, filled with the mercy of God, pray for us. 
St. Raphael, perfect adorer of the Divine Word, pray for us. St. Raphael, terror of demons, pray for us. 
St. Raphael, exterminator of vices, pray for us. 
St. Raphael, health of the sick, pray for us. 
St. Raphael, our refuge in all our trials, pray for us. 
St. Raphael, guide of travelers, pray for us. 
St. Raphael, consoler of prisoners, pray for us. 
St. Raphael, joy of the sorrowful, pray for us. 
St. Raphael, filled with zeal for the salvation of souls, pray for us. 
St. Raphael, whose name means: Medicine of God, pray for us. 
St. Raphael, lover of chastity, pray for us. 
St. Raphael, scourge of demons, pray for us. 
St. Raphael, in pest, famine and war, pray for us. 
St. Raphael, Angel of peace and prosperity, pray for us. 
St. Raphael, endowed with the grace of healing, pray for us. 
St. Raphael, sure guide in the paths of virtue and sanctification, pray for us. 
St. Raphael, help of all those who implore thy assistance, pray for us. 
St. Raphael, who wert the guide and consolation of Tobias on his journey, pray for us. 
St. Raphael, whom the Scriptures thus praise: “Raphael, the holy Angel of the Lord was sent to cure,” pray for us. 
St. Raphael, our advocate, pray for us. 

℣. Pray for us, St. Raphael, to the Lord our God. 
℟. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. 

Let us pray: 
St. Raphael, of the glorious seven who stand before the throne of Him who lives and reigns, Angel of health, the Lord has filled your hand with balm from heaven to soothe or cure our pains. Support those affected by abuse on their journey to healing, and guide our steps when doubtful of our ways. 
Amen. 

Reflection by Most Reverend Joe S. Vásquez, Bishop of Austin

Reflection by Heather Gardener, Director of 365 Campaign Advancement

Imagine being Tobias, having fallen in love with Sarah who had been married 7 times and tormented by a demon that had killed all of her husbands before they could consummate the marriage.  Yet Tobias was instructed to take Sarah’s hand in marriage. It was his purity of heart and the healing power of God through Raphael the archangel that rid Sarah of the demon. (Tobit 3-8;) 

Abuse survivors deal with their trauma in various ways.  Some grow closer to their faith and to God.  Others experience great pain associated with God and thus drift or even run away from God.   

Tragically, abuse can take the form of sexual abuse, and what is intended to be a beautiful act is used to exercise power over another.   

Our culture has been infiltrated with two extreme and destructive views on the sexual act: the first, the Puritanical view that sex is bad, and our bodies are bad.  The second is the complete opposite view that sex has zero consequences and should be used recreationally for our own self indulgence, divorcing the sexual act from love and the potential product of that love - children.  

Neither of these views represent God’s purpose for sex.  In St. John Paul II’s Theology of the Body we learn that the male and female bodies do not make sense on their own, but complement one another.  In the context of marriage the two become one flesh and the marital embrace is an earthly sign pointing toward heaven.   

Sexual abuse survivors, understandably so, may have an aversion to what should be a beautiful act for fear of being used rather than being loved and cared for.  Ultimately it is through the healing power of our Lord Jesus Christ that the sins of the abuser no longer determine one’s ability to love and be loved.  Let us pray, with St. Raphael’s intercession, that those who have survived abuse will align their pain and suffering with Christ’s suffering on the Cross, and that they may be physically, mentally, and spiritually healed.  

Reflection by Kathy McCormick, Victim Assistance Coordinator

As I was sitting on a park bench, I noticed a cocoon hanging from a limb of a nearby tree.  Continuing to gaze on it in wonder and awe, a butterfly began to emerge through a tiny opening.  It was struggling so hard to get out.  My heart was moved to help it get free.  Standing up to go help it, I remembered something I had once learned — the struggle required for the butterfly to get through the tiny opening is necessary to force fluid from its body into its wings so that it can fly.  If there is no struggle, the butterfly will spend the rest of its life with a swollen body and shriveled wings, never able to fly.  Appreciating and valuing the struggle, I sat back down.  Maintaining a watchful presence, I patiently waited until the butterfly was free, delighting as it spread its wings, thanking God for His wondrous creation. 

Struggle, pain, and suffering are part of life.  What can we do about it?  How can we truly help?  We can become aware of ways to prevent or alleviate it, and then act.  Then, just as God is faithfully with us, we can simply “be” present to persons who are suffering or are in pain.  How God has so wondrously created the butterfly may inspire us when our heart is aching for someone.  In our compassion, we may want to immediately remove their struggle, their pain, their suffering.  More than that, though, we may want them to grow stronger, heal, and “fly.”  We can listen as they share their struggle and their pain and their suffering, believe them, trust in their inner strength, remind them they are not alone, assure them of God’s enduring love and care for them, support them in ways that we can, and pray with and for them.  “For I know well the plans I have in mind for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare, not for woe! plans to give you a future full of hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11). 

Reflection by Deacon Michael Noriega, Seminarian

A friend of mine during my first years of seminary had a beautiful painting of St. Raphael. In this painting, St. Raphael is holding a fish in his hand and from this fish comes the healing salve which restores sight to Tobias’ father, Tobit. He comes into this story with a specific mission: to heal.  

I find it striking that of the three archangels – Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael – God desired that one of them be dedicated specifically to the mission of healing. Raphael, whose name means “Medicine of God,” is sent to Tobias in the Book of Tobit to guide Tobias on his journey and to provide healing ointment to restore Tobit’s eyesight. If God created St. Raphael to be the archangel dedicated to healing, it must mean that healing is something important to God and that He desires it for each one of us, too.  

We pray in this novena acknowledging that God has entrusted to St. Raphael this important mission of healing. We honor him with the titles, “Health of the Sick,” “Our refuge in all our trials,” “Terror of Demons,” and “Endowed with the grace of healing” among others, demonstrating the authority granted to him by God to intercede and bring about healing in our lives. Often one of the most painful aspects of suffering and abuse is the feeling of being alone in our trials and wondering how and when healing will take place. St. Raphael’s role in the story of the healing of Tobit and protecting Tobias in his travels reminds us that we are not alone in the midst of our suffering and that He wishes to not only accompany us in our pain, but to bring about healing in our lives.  

During a talk I attended a number of years ago, the speaker reminded me of something fundamental of who God is: That God desires to heal us. Speaking on the parable of the Healing of the Leper in the Gospel of Mark, she reminded us of Jesus’ response to the leper’s cry for healing: “I do will it. Be made clean” (Mark 1:41). We can imagine in prayer the deep look of tenderness and love in Jesus’ eyes as he spoke these words to this man seeking healing. That same tender look of Jesus and that same desire to heal our wounds and afflictions is present for us today. He desires that we be healed. The presence of the angels and most especially of St. Raphael reminds us that we are not alone in the midst of our healing journey. Furthermore, God has entrusted to us St. Raphael as a friend and intercessor to carry out His tender mission of healing in our lives.  

Reflection by Sr. Silvia Tarafa, SCTJM, Director of the Office of Consecrated and Apostolic Life

Jesus incarnated as a babe and suffered his passion, death and resurrection to bring us all new life and life in abundance. So, how does our Lord respond at the sight of his children being hurt by the horror of abuse? I imagine, He cries.  And yet, since Jesus came precisely to restore, heal, and make us new, he does not desire to leave us in our brokenness. The Lord does not will anyone to go through the tragedy of abuse, yet if we seek and stay close to Him, even amid our great suffering, in a mysterious way, the Lord can use our tragedies to make something greater come out of the pain. The Church our Mother teaches us, “God is in no way, directly or indirectly, the cause of moral evil. He permits it, however, because he respects the freedom of his creatures and mysteriously, knows how to derive good from it.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 311). 

We see this truth played out in the Book of Tobit. Tobit after living a life of virtue, performing numerous works of charity, suffering the mockery of his neighbors for doing good, was willing to risk his own life to bury a man who had died. Despite his righteousness, the Lord permitted Tobit to go blind. Tobit could have closed his heart to the Lord because of this tragedy, and yet, as the story unfolds, we see that it was Tobit’s turning to the Lord in a desperate plea in the midst of his calamity, that the Lord used his prayer to bring greater blessings for his son and family.  The Lord responds to Tobit’s cry for help, assuring us of his desire to heal him, by sending his Archangel Raphael, (“God heals”) to help his son Tobias on the perilous errand he sends him. 

The Book of Tobit illustrates for us that even in the midst of the great tragedies of Tobit’s and Sarah’s families, healing begins after Tobit and Sarah cry to the Lord from the depth of their hearts. In Tobias’ mysterious journey the Lord hears Tobit’s and Sarah’s desperate cry for help,  sends Raphael to guide Tobias, permits Tobias to take Sarah as his wife, removes Sarah’s shame, heals her by expelling the demon who had previously killed 7 other would-be-husbands on their wedding night,  permits Tobias to collect his father’s money, and instructs Tobias on valuable lessons on the providence of God. And if this were not enough, by following the Archangel Raphael’s instructions, Tobias is able to heal his father’s blindness. 

Though tragedy struck two faithful families, they cried out to God and remained faithful. Their journeys were a mystery; it was nothing they could foresee as they were dealing with their sorrow. But our Lord restores. Let us all trust in his mercy and healing, most especially all who have suffered a tragic abuse. Let us open our hearts ever-wider to our good Lord, seek his help, and trust ever more in his healing, his mercy and his restoration. 

Reflection by Luisa de Poo, Secretariat Director of Life, Charity, and Justice

As we reflect on this novena, let's consider the profound healing that can be found through the intercession of St. Raphael. As an intercessor for healing, his presence can help calm our anxieties and provide a powerful sense of comfort and security in a time of distress. 

Raphael, an Archangel, was sent by God to help humanity in a time of need. His wisdom and immense power were matched by his compassionate and caring nature, a quality that gave hope for those in need when served. 

Through our prayers and actions, we can invoke his intercession to help those suffering from domestic violence. Like St. Raphael, we can be messengers, reaching out to those in need, and through our ministries, we help bring God’s consolation to victims of abuse.  

Reflection by Hannah Haddad, Associate Director of the Office of Life, Marriage, and Family

Reflection by Misty Poe, Superintendent of Catholic Schools

As we observe Domestic Violence Awareness Month this October, our thoughts and prayers turn toward the countless individuals who have suffered the deep wounds of abuse—physical, emotional, and spiritual. Abuse not only shatters the dignity and peace of individuals but also leaves scars that require both earthly justice and divine healing. In these moments of brokenness, we are called to turn to St. Raphael, whose name means “God heals,” and whose powerful intercession has been a source of comfort and healing for many throughout the centuries. 

St. Raphael’s feast day on October 24 falls within this month of awareness, providing an opportunity for us to seek his powerful guidance for those affected by abuse. As an educator, I ask St. Raphael to offer his protection and healing for any of our students who are suffering, even if we are not able to see the visible signs. I also ask St. Raphael to grant all educators the grace of patience so that we might be sources of hope who can rebuild trust and self-worth in each student that might need it. 

The novena begins with a familiar plea: “O God, come to our assistance; O Lord, make haste to help us.” This simple call is profound. It recognizes our own limitations and acknowledges that only through God’s grace can we find relief and strength in moments of distress. It is a prayer of humility and surrender to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, the Holy Trinity who has been with us “as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.” It expresses our trust in God's timeless presence and gives us the opportunity to model this trust for our students. 

One of the most powerful elements of the prayer is the plea for healing: “We humbly pray you to heal the many infirmities of our soul and the ills that afflict our bodies.” Here, we recognize that the wounds of our souls can often be deeper than the wounds of the body, and that true healing encompasses both. The special intention for those affected by abuse brings this prayer into the context of real-world suffering, reminding us that St. Raphael's intercession is a source of hope for those whose dignity has been violated. 

The prayer then turns to a litany of petitions, where we acknowledge the many roles St. Raphael plays in our spiritual journey. He is the "terror of demons" and the "exterminator of vices," reminding us of the spiritual battles we face. He is the "health of the sick" and "refuge in all our trials," comforting those who feel the heavy burden of physical and emotional pain. As the "guide of travelers" and "consoler of prisoners," St. Raphael is near to those who feel lost or trapped in difficult circumstances. With the many superheroes that appear in our modern culture, St. Raphael provides us and our students with a timeless, fearless superhero who intercedes on our behalf, especially when we are at our most vulnerable.  

Finally, the prayer concludes with a plea for St. Raphael’s ongoing advocacy. As we seek his aid, we are reminded that he is not only a healer but also a guide and a source of wisdom. The closing lines speak to his role as the “Angel of health,” whose hand is filled with balm from heaven to soothe our pains. In a world filled with suffering, the balm of St. Raphael’s intercession is a reminder of the healing that God longs to pour into our lives. 

As we pray this novena, especially during Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we pray for those students and family members who have been wounded by abuse, trusting that St. Raphael will guide them on their path to healing and justice. We also pray for ourselves, asking for the grace to be instruments of healing and peace in the lives of others. Through the intercession of St. Raphael, may all of us find comfort, strength, and hope in the mercy of God. 

Reflection by Abby Turner, Director of the Office of Ethics and Integrity in Ministry

Most of us know of friends, family, or other loved ones who have dealt with the difficulties of abuse. At times, it can be shocking or difficult to wrap our heads around the suffering that others go through. Some of us have experienced abuse firsthand and have had to experience the difficulties that come from healing afterwards.  

When I pray this novena to Archangel St. Raphael, I imagine the individuals he has accompanied on their road to healing. This road is often unpredictable. It has ups and downs. At times, it twists, and we may end up backtracking to find a better path forward. At all points in our journey, God stays with us. He has sent us angels, like Raphael, and holy men and women to show us there is hope in our journey. I remember some of the holy men and women who experienced abuse in their earthy lives: 

Bl. Anna Yi Si-im who was abused by her purported husband. 

St. Mary of Edessa, who was abused by a disobedient monk.  

St. John of the Cross, who was starved and beaten by a few misguided companions. 

Bl. Laura Vicuna, who was abused by her mother’s paramour.  

Bl. Anna Kolesarova, who was killed by a soldier who attempted to rape her.  

Through the lives of all of these holy men and women, God stood by them. In times when their faith faltered, God’s love for them remained. We can see that at times life is hard. It can and will be painful, unfair, and difficult to navigate. Yet there is hope and healing in the Lord.  

Let us thank God for the love and healing He provides to those of us who are affected by abuse. We ask Him to continue to give us tools to prevent and respond to abuse to better protect those around us.