Yes, St. Christopher is Still a Saint

Though it no longer appears on the Church's universal liturgical calendar, July 25th marks the feast day of Saint Christopher. Yes, Christopher is still recognized as a saint, and it is a wonderful thing to honor him and to celebrate the many Christian virtues associated with this legendary figure.

A piece published in Saint Anthony Messenger a few years ago explains that Saint Christopher's name was removed from the universal calendar only because his story is shrouded in mystery. Notre Dame theologian Dr. Lawrence Cunningham explained, "I think what happened was that St. Christopher entered into the popular culture. He became an icon well beyond whatever historical veracity we have relative to his name."

Nevertheless, Dr. Cunningham believes the story of Saint Christopher can be traced to a historical figure who was martyred in Lycia, present-day Turkey, under the reign of Emperor Decius, stating, "It's not clear, but there probably was a martyr during the period of Decius with whom all kinds of stories got identified. . . . One of the ones that lasted was that he was a person who took people across a river and was given a name that means 'one who bears Christ.'

"Legend states that Saint Christopher was originally named Offerus and grew to be a large man, perhaps even large enough to have been considered a giant. He spent his early years in search of a cause to serve, drawn for a time to worldly power until realizing Christ as the only one to whom he should pledge his allegiance.

It is said that he set up camp along the banks of an untamed river with the intention of helping people across, and one day was approached by a small boy requesting safe passage. So he hoisted the boy on his shoulder, grabbed his staff, and started across, only to find that the boy grew heavier as the river grew stronger, making it a perilous journey to the other side. Upon reaching the other side, Christopher said, "Child, thou hast put me in great peril; thou weighest almost as if I had all the world upon me: I might bear no greater burden."

To this, the child replied, "Christopher, thou hast not only borne all the world upon thee, but thou hast borne Him that created and made all the world, upon thy shoulders."

In this way, he was given the name, Christopher, which means Christbearer, and his legend grew throughout the centuries as he came to be known as the protector of travelers. "That popularity never wavered," states Dr. Cunningham, highlighting that devotion to Saint Christopher has persisted into modern times, perhaps most notably with our own organization, The Christophers.

"Even somewhat recently," Dr. Cunningham states, "organizations such as 'The Christophers,' founded by Father James Keller, M.M., in 1945, are named after him." Dr. Cunningham goes on to declare how perfectly the mission of The Christophers aligns with the ideals embodied by Saint Christopher, saying, "The Christophers' purpose is to encourage all individuals to celebrate 'their abilities and use them to raise the standards in all phases of human endeavor.' It's a fitting principle."

It is indeed a fitting principle to connect to this amazing saint. And the image on our Christopher Awards is also quite fitting because it depicts Saint Christopher with a staff in one hand, carrying a child on his shoulder, evoking the truth at the heart of the legend: that Christ is found in the small and the humble who ask for our help.

This essay is a recent "Light One Candle" column by Father Ed Dougherty, M.M., The Christophers' Board of Directors ; it is one of a series of weekly columns that deal with a variety of topics and current events.

Background information:

The Christophers