Saint Christopher

Feast Day: July 25

• One of the most well-known saints of the Catholic Christian faith is St. Christopher, but not much is definitively known about him. He is a martyr and a saint. Reprobus might have been another name for him.

• Reprobus was martyred in 251 AD, during the reign of Decius, the Roman emperor. Catholics identify him as St. Christopher, and his popular devotions are among the most widespread in Catholic piety.

• There are some legends and traditions that have been passed down that describe St. Christopher beside the tradition of his martyrdom.

• Some of these stories claim that St. Christopher was very tall -- some say he was even a giant! He was undoubtedly a man of substantial physical size. But more importantly, he was a spiritual giant who provided the Christian faithful with a solid role model and source of Christian inspiration.

• One day, a young boy came up to Reprobus near the river and requested assistance in crossing, and he obliged him. However, when they were in the middle of the river, the water rose, and the child's weight increased and increased until it was very heavy. Only after a great deal of effort was Reprobus able to transport the child safely to the other side.

• When he was asked by St. Christopher why he was so heavy, the young boy said that he was the Christ and that when St. Christopher carried Him, he also carried the weight of the entire world on his shoulders. The child then disappeared from sight.

• This incredible story is connected with the saint’s now-given name Christopher, which means "Christ-bearer".

• Christopher is the patron saint of children and travelers.

St. Christopher, Pray for Us!