Lázaro Otero
Puerto Rican, 1905-2001
Saint Raphael Archangel / San Rafael Arcángel, around 1985
Polychromed wood, mixed media
8 5/8 x 4 ½ x 3 7/8 inches
Lent from a private Florida collection

Along with Gabriel and Michael, Saint Raphael is considered one of the three major archangels, or chief messengers of God's will on earth. His name means “God has healed.” According to an Old Testament story, Saint Raphael accompanied Tobias on a long journey and cured the blindness of Tobit, his father, with the gall extracted from a fish. Patron saint of travelers, the blind, the young and the innocent, Raphael's attributes are a pilgrim's staff and a fish. He is the patron saint of the town Quebradillas where his feast day is celebrated on October 24.