Saint Christopher is believed to be the most endearing saint to the catholic. Saint Christopher’s feast is celebrated on July 25. Saint Christopher’s life and story, is a complex, yet a faith-forming exercise in service, grace and love. He was born in the third century to a king, who grew to be a restless young man named Reprobus, who was of considerable size.
He spent the early years of his life in search of riches, of purpose, of a cause worthy of his allegiance. as he wanted to serve the strongest and boldest ruler, who served the devil, only to realise that his master feared the wayside cross. Reprobus learned that the devil feared Christ. he went in journey in search of the king of the cross.
He encountered a hermit who guided him on Christian faith. To serve Jesus he recommended Reprobus with fasting and prayer. Instead, he used his might to help the travellers cross the dangerous river. One day a child came by to cross the river. Reprobus took the child upon his shoulders, but as he started to cross the river, the child grew heavier until Reprobus feared he would fall and drown.
Reprobus asked the child why he was heavy, the child revealed that he was Jesus Christ and he was heavy with the weight of the world’s sins. When they reached the bank with great difficulty, carrying Christ, the Child. Christ asked Reprobus to press his staff into the ground, the staff turned into a beautiful flowering tree. Reprobus was baptized by the child and was named Christopher “Christ-bearer”. He is the patron of travellers, protector against toothaches, hailstorms and sudden death.
Father Franklin Joseph, the director of Catholic Focus gives insight with the following message ,”in the same way as St. Christopher could serve Christ by assisting people to cross a dangerous river, when they were perishing in their attempt. Similarly, today the media missionaries of the Catholic Focus is commissioned to assist the netizen to cross the sea of information with truthful facts.” Father Franklin requests for prays of the faithful, “by placing, St. Christopher as the patron saint, each media missionary has two folded tasks: Carry Christ where we go and show Christ in whatever we do. In todays digital world, the media missionaries have to continue, by presenting Christ in whichever way possible.”
