St. Christopher
St. Christopher (3rd c.) is a highly popular saint, though little is known about him with certainty.
According to one legend, the prayers of a pagan king's wife to
the Blessed Virgin were answered and she gave birth to a healthy son named Offerus
and dedicated the child to the pagan gods. He grew in exceptional size and
strength and endeavored to serve only the strongest and most courageous of
masters.
At first he served a heathen king, but soon realized that the
king feared the Devil. He then served the Devil, but saw that the Devil feared
the symbol of the Cross. He then decided to serve Christ, who must be the
strongest master of all.
Offerus found a hermit who instructed him in the
faith, baptized him, and gave him a new name, Christopher, or
"Christ-bearer." From then on Christopher determined
to serve Christ by using his great physical strength to assist travelers
crossing a treacherous river.
One day he helped a small child cross the river. But as he
carried this child across the raging waters, he felt his burden becoming
heavier, as if the weight of the whole world was upon his shoulders. When he
spoke of this to the child, the child replied that he carried not only the
whole world, but Him who made it. He also told Christopher that his service was
pleasing to Him.
The Child Jesus worked a miracle by turning Christopher's staff
into a tree. Due to this miracle many converted to Christianity, which caused
Christopher to be put into prison where he was tortured and beheaded for
refusing to worship the pagan gods.
St. Christopher is the patron saint of travelers.
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