St. Raphael the Archangel Coloring Page
This St. Raphael the Archangel coloring page shows Raphael with big wings and a traveler's staff, walking hand in hand with young Tobias, who carries a fish, while their little dog trots along. The PDF is free to print. Raphael is the angel whose name means God heals.
The story of St. Raphael
The Bible tells a wonderful adventure story in the Book of Tobit. It is all about an angel who went on a long trip.
There was a good man named Tobit who helped the poor and loved God. But one day he became blind. Tobit sent his son, Tobias, on a long journey to bring back money the family had left with a relative in a faraway land. Tobias needed a guide, and a friendly young man offered to go with him. He said his name was Azarias. So off they went, with the family dog following along!
One evening, when Tobias went down to the river to wash, a huge fish jumped out of the water at him. "Catch it!" said his guide. Tobias grabbed it. The guide told him to keep part of the fish, because it could be used as medicine.
On the journey, the guide helped Tobias in many ways. He even helped him find a wonderful wife named Sarah. When they all got home, Tobias put the fish medicine on his father's eyes, just as the guide had told him, and Tobit could see again!
Then the guide told them who he really was: "I am Raphael, one of the seven holy angels." God had sent him to help them all along. His name means "God heals."
St. Raphael the Archangel still helps travelers, sick people and the doctors and nurses who care for them.
What to color
- His wings: white, gold or soft rainbow colors. Angels are God's messengers.
- His traveler's cloak and staff: red or green, with a brown staff. He came as a guide on the road.
- The little jar: gold or blue, for the medicine that healed Tobit's eyes.
- Tobias and his fish: any colors for Tobias, and a silver-blue fish.
- The dog: brown, black or white. The Bible says the dog went along on the trip!
A prayer to pray together
An old family prayer to the archangels, printed in the Raccolta, the Church's collection of prayers, asks Raphael:
Saint Raphael, keep us free from all sickness and from every danger to our lives.
Find more prayers in our page on the St. Raphael prayer.
Ideas for families and classrooms
- Color this page before a family trip, or for his feast on September 29.
- Read part of the story together in the Book of Tobit, chapters 5 and 6.
- Pray for someone who is sick, and for the doctors and nurses who care for them.
- Draw a map of Tobias's journey, with the river, the fish and the dog.
- Learn about the other angels in our page on the seven archangels.
Read the full story: St. Raphael the Archangel in the encyclopedia.
Frequently asked questions
What colors should I use for St. Raphael?
Many paintings give Raphael a red or green traveler's cloak and wings in soft colors. Make the fish silver and blue, the dog brown or white, and the road and hills tan and green.
Why does Tobias carry a fish?
In the Book of Tobit, a big fish jumped out of the river at Tobias. Raphael told him to catch it and keep part of it, because it would be used as medicine. Later it helped heal his father's eyes.
When is St. Raphael's feast day?
September 29, which he shares with the archangels Michael and Gabriel.
Is this coloring page free for schools?
Yes. Print as many copies as you need for your home, classroom or parish.
Sources
- Book of Tobit, Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (Bible Gateway)
- The Raccolta: Prayers and Devotions Enriched with Indulgences, English edition by J. P. Christopher and C. E. Spence (Benziger, 1943), no. 657