Rafa's 4th Birthday!

Today Rafael turned 4 years old! He is the most wonderful, loving little boy. He reminds me a ton of Frankie when he was little (and that is a good thing!), and he mightily takes care of and defends those that he loves. We named him after the Archangel Raphael which means "God heals."

Our knowledge of the Archangel Raphael comes to us from the Old Testament story in the Book of Tobit.

Tobit, a devout and wealthy Israelite who gave his wealth to help others, is deported to Nineveh. He suffers severe hardships and is finally blinded. Because of his misfortunes he begs the Lord to let him die. He sends his son Tobiah to Media to collect money that is owed to him. In Media, at this same time, a young woman, Sarah, also prays for death, because she has lost seven husbands, each killed on their wedding night by the demon Asmodeus. God hears the prayers of Tobit and Sarah, and sends the Angel Raphael in disguise to aid them both.

Raphael makes the trip to Media with Tobiah. When Tobiah is attacked by a large fish while bathing, Raphael orders him to seize the fish and remove its gall, heart, and liver because they make "useful medicines." Later, Tobiah marries Sarah, and uses the the fish's heart and liver to drive Asmodeus from the bridal chamber. When he returns to Nineveh with his wife Sarah and his father's money, Tobiah rubs the fish's gall into his father's eyes and cures him of his blindness. Finally, Raphael reveals his true identity and announces, “God sent me to heal you… Peace be with you. Bless God forever.” Raphael then returns to Heaven.

Pope John Paul II did a Catechesis on the Angels during his General Audience on August 6, 1986 and said that the story of Tobias is so significant for “what it says about entrusting to the angels the little children of God, who are always in need of custody, care, and protection.” St. Raphael, pray for us and for Rafa as he journeys on through another year.

Rafa was the biggest baby by far - 8lbs. 10 oz.

One of my favorite pictures!
One year old.

Learning to walk!

Rafa loves petting zoos.

Birthday #2

Christmas 2009