St. Christopher is the patron saint of travelers because, according to tradition, he spent his life carrying pilgrims across a dangerous river, and one night carried the Christ Child Himself. For centuries the faithful have asked his protection before a journey, and today his medal hangs in cars around the world. He is one of the most popular of all patron saints.
St. Christopher at a Glance
- Patronage: Travelers, motorists, and sailors
- Feast Day: July 25th
- Symbols: The Christ Child on his shoulders, a staff, a river
- Also Known As: Reprobus, Offerus, the Christ-bearer
St. Christopher is one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers, those saints the Church looks to for assistance in times of serious disease or danger. Although St. Christopher is widely known and revered, there are no early written records of his life or death. It is believed he was martyred under Emperor Decius in the 3rd Century. Tradition holds that St. Ambrose composed a prayer to him, and his story was recorded in the medieval book, The Golden Legend. The Church celebrates him in the Roman Martyrology, and his feast day is July 25th. His Christian name means “Christ-bearer,” and he is often depicted carrying the Christ Child on his shoulders. Many have called on this saint for protection when embarking on a journey. Today, even a short car trip can be dangerous. St. Christopher is ready to help.
Who is St. Christopher?
Birth and Service to a Prince
Tradition tells us that our saint was born in Canaan and was known as Reprobus, a name likely given because he came from a heathen land. He grew to be great in stature and very strong. Since no one in his sphere could meet his strength, Reprobus set out to find a master mightier than he to serve. It is said he found a valiant prince, presumed to be the greatest on earth. Reprobus offered his service to this prince, who willingly accepted it. However, one day, the prince heard the devil’s name and made the sign of the cross to protect himself. When Reprobus inquired about the sign, the prince was pressed to explain that whenever he heard that infernal name, he crossed himself so that the devil would have no power over him. Reprobus detected fear in the prince and immediately broke with his service and set off to find this devil, who must be more powerful than the prince.
Service to the Devil
As he journeyed, Reprobus came upon a band of evil knights who interrogated him. Reprobus told them he was in search of the devil to offer him his service. The leader replied, “I am he,” and seeing Reprobus was a great giant, willingly accepted him into his company. They traveled along together, but shortly, the evil doers came upon a tall cross erected by the side of the road. Upon seeing it, the devil fled the easy path, leading his band through a thorny desert to avoid the cross. When Reprobus inquired as to why he did this, he replied, “That is the sign of my greatest enemy. I always flee from Him.” When Reprobus pressed him to explain, the devil identified his enemy as Jesus Christ, who conquered him on a cross. This revealed to Reprobus that the devil was not the mightiest of all. He broke company with him and went in search of the One who made the devil flee.
Conversion and Service to Christ
It was a long and arduous search. He asked here and there where he could find Jesus Christ. Eventually, Reprobus was sent to a desert hermit who converted him to the Christian Faith. The hermit instructed Reprobus to follow Christ with prayer and fasting. However, Reprobus, who was often hungry, did not think he could fulfill this requirement.
The hermit then gave him another task by which he could serve the Lord Christ. He sent mighty Reprobus to a great rolling river, commanding him to set up his home on its banks. Whenever strangers came needing passage across the deep river, Reprobus was to bear them across. The new Christian readily agreed to this and set about his assignment. He carried a huge staff that provided stability in the turbulent waters and assisted many pilgrims in this manner. One night, he carried a child across the river who revealed Himself as Jesus and confirmed it with a miracle. The full story is told below. From that night, Reprobus’s name was changed to Christopher, meaning Christ-bearer.
Missionary Journey and Martyrdom
After meeting the Christ Child, Christopher went to the pagan land of Lycia to evangelize and minister to the Christians being martyred there. In Lycia, God worked miracles through him, and thousands were converted to the Faith. When the governor heard of this, he sent for Christopher and commanded him to offer sacrifices to the gods in keeping with the Emperor’s law. Christopher soundly refused. He was sentenced to death, and after many tortures and attempts to take his life, Christopher was at last beheaded for his faith. The governor who ordered the execution was blinded by an arrow meant for Christopher. Before his beheading, Christopher instructed his executioners to apply his blood to the governor’s eyes, and they would be healed. Thus, after Christopher’s death, the idolator who had him killed, being healed by his blood, converted to the Faith.
Why St. Christopher Is the Patron Saint of Travelers
St. Christopher became the patron of travelers because of the unique charge the desert hermit gave him. But this charge became a much greater calling when one night Christopher heard a child’s voice outside his lodging. The child was asking for safe passage across the river. Twice, he left his lodging but could see no one. The third time, he saw the small child standing by the river. St. Christopher took him up, with staff in hand, and started into the river.
As he went farther in, the waters rose, and the child grew heavier. Christopher began to feel he would drown, but with a great struggle, he reached the other side. Having arrived safely, Christopher told the little child that carrying him had felt like the weight of the world. The Child replied, “Christopher, you indeed have been carrying the weight of the world and that of the world’s Creator. I am Jesus Christ, the King, whom you serve in this work.” And to verify He was speaking the truth, Jesus commanded Christopher to set his staff in the ground, and by morning it would blossom and bear fruit, which it did. It is fitting that St. Christopher, who bore the Christ Child safely through dangerous waters, would be our patron when we travel.
The St. Christopher Medal
Because of this story, the St. Christopher medal, which shows the saint carrying the Christ Child across the river, has become one of the most familiar Catholic sacramentals in the world. It is commonly worn on a chain, carried in a wallet, or kept in a car as a reminder to entrust every journey to God through St. Christopher’s intercession. Like all sacramentals, the medal is not a charm; its value lies in the faith and prayer of the one who carries it. Learn more about the St. Christopher medal and the prayers that accompany it.
Is St. Christopher Still a Saint?
Yes. Many Catholics have heard that St. Christopher was “removed” from the list of saints in 1969. What actually happened is that his feast was removed from the General Roman Calendar during the reform of the liturgical calendar, because so little about his life can be historically verified. He was never de-canonized, and the Church has never declared that he did not exist. St. Christopher remains in the Roman Martyrology, may be honored on July 25th, and continues to be venerated by the faithful throughout the world. Churches are still named for him, and his intercession is still sought before every kind of journey.
Praying to St. Christopher
For centuries, travelers have turned to St. Christopher for protection on the road. A full collection of traditional prayers you can pray before any journey, along with the meaning of his medal, is found in our complete guide to the St. Christopher Prayer.
While there are no shrines in the US dedicated solely to St. Christopher, many Catholic churches are named for him and contain a statue for prayer and veneration. If you are preparing to embark on a journey or St. Christopher has seen you safely through one, pray a novena in his honor, offer a prayer of thanksgiving, or assist at Mass on his feast day. Encourage others to develop a devotion to him and to entrust their travel safety to him.
Learn More About St. Christopher
- Pray the St. Christopher Prayer before your next journey.
- Explore our complete guide to patron saints.
Frequently Asked Questions About St. Christopher
Why is St. Christopher the patron saint of travelers?
St. Christopher is the patron saint of travelers because he carried many travelers, including the Christ Child, to safety across a mighty, rolling river. The faithful have asked his protection on journeys ever since.
When is St. Christopher’s feast day?
Although his feast no longer appears on the General Roman Calendar, St. Christopher’s feast day in the Roman Martyrology is July 25th.
Is St. Christopher still a saint?
Yes. His feast was removed from the General Roman Calendar in 1969 because of the lack of historical records about his life, but he was never de-canonized. He remains in the Roman Martyrology and may be venerated by the faithful.
Why is St. Christopher seen carrying the Christ Child?
St. Christopher is depicted carrying the Christ Child because of his encounter with Christ while carrying travelers across a dangerous river. This encounter changed his name and his life.
Are there other symbols for St. Christopher?
St. Christopher is often pictured carrying a great staff or pole because he used it to ford the river, and it miraculously blossomed when he placed it in the ground.
What does the St. Christopher medal mean?
The St. Christopher medal depicts the saint carrying the Christ Child across the river. Catholics wear it or keep it in their cars as a reminder to entrust their travels to God through St. Christopher’s intercession. It is a sacramental, not a good luck charm.
