October is Respect Life Month, where we pray in a special way for the protection of all human life, from natural conception until natural death…and all life in between. As we know that there has been much in the news lately of life NOT being respected, of people in vulnerable situations being used and abused both in the political and celebrity sphere, as well as in scandals in the church. As a special prayer for healing, Archbishop Jackels has suggested this prayer to the Archangel St. Raphael, as prayer for healing:

St. Raphael, of the seven angels who stand in the glorious presence of the Lord, ready to serve as the bearer of God’s healing. The Lord has filled your hand with balm from heaven. We beg you, therefore, to help us in our needs and in the sufferings of this life, as once you helped the young Tobias on his travels. Soothe our pains, cure our sickness, both physical and spiritual, make us fit to be temples of the Holy Spirit, and guide our steps when doubtful of our ways! Amen.