Saint of the Day Profile

Catholic Saint of the Day Profile

 

 

Saint Christopher
Profile
Third century martyr in the persecutions of Decius. Little else is known for sure.
His fame derives from the pious legend of him being a "Christ-bearer" (= Christopher). He was a powerfully built man who wandered the world in search of novelty and adventure. He came upon a hermit who lived beside a dangerous stream and served others by guiding them to safe places to cross. He gave Offero instruction in the truth of God. Offero took the hermit's place, but instead of guiding travelers, he carried them safely across the stream.

One day he carried a small child across the stream; the child's weight nearly crushed him. When they arrived on the other side, the child revealed himself as Christ, and he was so heavy because he bore the weight of the world on himself. He then baptized Offero with water from the stream. Christopher's service at the stream led to his patronage of things related to travel and travelers, people who carry things, etc. One of the Fourteen Holy Helpers.

Born:
at Canaan as Offero
Died:
martyred c.251
Name Meaning:
Christ-bearer
Patronage:
• against bad dreams
• epileptics; against epilepsy
• against floods
• against hailstorms
• against lightning
• against pestilence
• against storms
• against sudden death
• against toothache
• Air Forces
• archers
• automobile drivers, automobilists, motorists
• bachelors
• boatmen
• bookbinders
• bus drivers
• cab drivers, taxi drivers, cabbie
• civil aeronautics
• fruit dealers
• fullers
• gardeners
• holy death
• lorry drivers, truck drivers, truckers
• mariners, sailors, watermen
• market carriers
• mountain climbers
• porters
• relief from pestilence
• transportation
• transportation workers
• travelers
• travelers in the mountains
• Saint Christopher's Island
• Saint Kitts
• 13 cities
Representation:
• branch
• giant
• torrent
• tree
• man with Christ on his shoulders

Blog post courtesy:
http://catholicsaints.info/saint-christopher/