Archangel Raphael seems to be depicted in gorgeous turquoise-green robes.  The healing angel (the "Rapha" bit means healer) who appears in the apocrypha/deautero-canonical book of Tobit.

Green is often seen as a colour of wholeness, healing and growth, which may explain the choice for Raphael.

Many people, I suspect, depending on their age, think of Raphael as the famous artist, or as one of the 'teenage mutant hero/ninja turtles'; few will be aware that the former is named after the angel, and the latter after the artist.

In western society, the meanings and significance of names has long been lost, with parents choosing names they like the sound of, or which have personal significane (relatives or celebrities).  Raphael serves as reminder of the power of names, in shaping expectations and informing lives.

If we could choose a 'virtue name' for oursleves, I wonder what it might be?  I wonder how knowing the significance/meaning of our name (chosen or given) might affect our attitudes and actions?

God of healing and wholeness,

Thank you for the story of Raphael, the angel of healing

Thank you for the potential significance of names in expressing values and aspirations,

Known to you by our names - the ones we choose for ourselves, not simply those given to us by others - help us to grow in grace, mercy and love,

Learning to be, and to become, the people you made us to be.

Amen.