While on the topic of blessings and automobiles, Catholics are generous in the use of St. Christopher medals. From Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Christopher “Legends about the life and death of Saint Christopher first appeared in Greece in the 6th century and had spread to France by the 9th century. The 11th-century bishop and poet Walter of Speyer gave one version, but the most popular variations originated from the 13th-century Golden Legend. According to the legendary account of his life, Christopher was initially called Reprobus. He was a Canaanite, 5 cubits (7.5 feet (2.3 m)) tall and with a fearsome face. While serving the king of Canaan, he took it into his head to go and serve "the greatest king there was." He went to the king who was reputed to be the greatest, but one day he saw the king cross himself at the mention of the devil. On thus learning that the king feared the devil, he departed to look for the devil. He came across a band of marauders, one of whom declared himself to be the devil, so Christopher decided to serve him. But when he saw his new master avoid a wayside cross and found out that the devil feared Christ, he left him and enquired from people where to find Christ. He met a hermit who instructed him in the Christian faith. Christopher asked him how he could serve Christ. When the hermit suggested fasting and prayer, Christopher replied that he was unable to perform that service. The hermit then suggested that because of his size and strength Christopher could serve Christ by assisting people to cross a dangerous river, where they were perishing in the attempt. The hermit promised that this service would be pleasing to Christ. After Christopher had performed this service for some time, a little child asked him to take him across the river. During the crossing, the river became swollen and the child seemed as heavy as lead, so much that Christopher could scarcely carry him and found himself in great difficulty. When he finally reached the other side, he said to the child: "You have put me in the greatest danger. I do not think the whole world could have been as heavy on my shoulders as you were." The child replied: "You had on your shoulders not only the whole world but Him who made it. I am Christ your king, whom you are serving by this work." The child then vanished. Christopher later visited Lycia and there comforted the Christians who were being martyred. Brought before the local king, he refused to sacrifice to the pagan gods. The king tried to win him by riches and by sending two beautiful women to tempt him. Christopher converted the women to Christianity, as he had already converted thousands in the city. The king ordered him to be killed. Various attempts failed, but finally Christopher was beheaded. Therefore, he is the patron saint of travelers, and small images of him are often worn around the neck, on a bracelet, carried in a pocket, or placed in vehicles by Christians.” Is the story of St. Christopher, as recounted in Wikipedia, accurate?

DWQA Questions › Category: Religions › While on the topic of blessings and automobiles, Catholics are generous in the use of St. Christopher medals. From Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Christopher “Legends about the life and death of Saint Christopher first appeared in Greece in the 6th century and had spread to France by the 9th century. The 11th-century bishop and poet Walter of Speyer gave one version, but the most popular variations originated from the 13th-century Golden Legend. According to the legendary account of his life, Christopher was initially called Reprobus. He was a Canaanite, 5 cubits (7.5 feet (2.3 m)) tall and with a fearsome face. While serving the king of Canaan, he took it into his head to go and serve “the greatest king there was.” He went to the king who was reputed to be the greatest, but one day he saw the king cross himself at the mention of the devil. On thus learning that the king feared the devil, he departed to look for the devil. He came across a band of marauders, one of whom declared himself to be the devil, so Christopher decided to serve him. But when he saw his new master avoid a wayside cross and found out that the devil feared Christ, he left him and enquired from people where to find Christ. He met a hermit who instructed him in the Christian faith. Christopher asked him how he could serve Christ. When the hermit suggested fasting and prayer, Christopher replied that he was unable to perform that service. The hermit then suggested that because of his size and strength Christopher could serve Christ by assisting people to cross a dangerous river, where they were perishing in the attempt. The hermit promised that this service would be pleasing to Christ. After Christopher had performed this service for some time, a little child asked him to take him across the river. During the crossing, the river became swollen and the child seemed as heavy as lead, so much that Christopher could scarcely carry him and found himself in great difficulty. When he finally reached the other side, he said to the child: “You have put me in the greatest danger. I do not think the whole world could have been as heavy on my shoulders as you were.” The child replied: “You had on your shoulders not only the whole world but Him who made it. I am Christ your king, whom you are serving by this work.” The child then vanished. Christopher later visited Lycia and there comforted the Christians who were being martyred. Brought before the local king, he refused to sacrifice to the pagan gods. The king tried to win him by riches and by sending two beautiful women to tempt him. Christopher converted the women to Christianity, as he had already converted thousands in the city. The king ordered him to be killed. Various attempts failed, but finally Christopher was beheaded. Therefore, he is the patron saint of travelers, and small images of him are often worn around the neck, on a bracelet, carried in a pocket, or placed in vehicles by Christians.” Is the story of St. Christopher, as recounted in Wikipedia, accurate?

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Nicola Staff asked 4 years ago

This story is accurate because it was told and retold and shared widely from those times on a continual basis up to the current day. That is why the ideas and the embodiment of St. Christopher in a token of his being, is still used as a representation of the successful journey embarked on for high purpose and completed with safety and effectiveness, courtesy of the divine sharing the experience. So in this story we have another example of a divine partnership that also incorporates the idea of commitment and obligation to hold to divine principles and divine truth, as well as the person’s personal history being a factor in how the journey goes, and may pose obstacles and complications, but that is part and parcel of the meaning of St. Christopher’s journeys—to show there is always a way to overcome the past, and even when taking on very heavy burdens, the ability to seek and request divine grace can make all things possible. So we would say that not only can the St. Christopher medal be effective as a way to request divine oversight and protection, but can be used to request any and all benefits from the divine one might wish to acquire. After all, the divine is present everywhere in everything and will always help people when they ask, but will stand aside if they do not. So the question, "Will it be worthwhile to carry a St. Christopher medal?" might be better rephrased to ask, "Why would you not carry a St. Christopher medal if it effectively facilitates a divine partnership, but without it the person is content to be on their own and never avails themselves of what a divine partnership can bring?" So the medal is not the point. The point is the partnership, and however one decides to pursue having a relationship with the divine, it will bring many, many blessings indeed.