25 July - St Christopher the Martyr
Written by Anne Newman - 28 July 2020, updated 2024 NJ
"Holy St Christopher save us from accidents. Thou didst on carry the Infant Jesus the Saviour of the world, so now guard and defend me on this journey, ask the Infant Jesus to keep me from a sudden and unprovided death. Amen." Duchas.ie - Prayers : Kilbeggan, WestmeathSlán abhaile - "safe home" is a common parting wish in Ireland...
May the road rise to meet you and the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm on your face and the rain fall soft on your fields. Until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of his hand.
25 July was the feast day of St Christopher the Martyr, a Canaanite who was executed in the 3rd century AD. Legend has it that Christopher, who was initially named Reprobus, wanted to serve the devil, who he believed to be "the greatest king there was", but on realising that the devil feared Jesus Christ decided to look for Christ.
A hermit instructed him in the Christian faith and Christopher performed service to Christ by helping people across a dangerous river.
According to the legend, a child wanted to cross the river when it was swollen and at its most dangerous. Christopher carried the child across the river on his shoulders and the said to the child
"You have put me in the greatest danger. I do not think the whole world could have been as heavy on my shoulders as you were."
The child answered
"You
had on your shoulders not only the whole world but Him who made it. I
am Christ your king, whom you are serving by this work."
And then the child disappeared.
St Christopher is known as the patron saint of travellers and today many people wear pendants bearing his image.
| People who have motor-cars have a badge of St Christopher pinned in the inside of the car to preserve them in their journeys as he is the patron Saint of Travellers. Even Protestants have his image in their cars. |
