Prayers: Saint Christopher

SAINT CHRISTOPHER - SAFE TRAVEL

You, Christopher, were the trusty watchman at the river crossing, surprised in the darkness of a raging thundering storm
to see the tiny radiant Christ Child, Jesus,
haloed in brilliance and standing in the doorway
of your humble bank-side hut,
glistening raindrops beading down His innocent face.

As lightning flashed and thunder crashed,
the tiny Child-God sought your help to cross the turbulent waves.

Unhesitating, you threw on your cloak, grasped your sturdy staff
and went out into the fearsome night.
Hoisting the Holy Child upon your shoulder you waded
bravely into the black and swirling waves.

Deep to your waist, crossing on slippery rocks,
you made your way slowly across the roaring, turbulent torrent,
carrying the Child Jesus safely to the far shore.

Your story has been told for a thousand years.
You are a traveler's hero, your deed emblazoned on countless medals
blessed by holy waters in many lands.
We place them in our luggage,
and secure them in our automobiles
as talismans of your heroism
and as pleas for that same safe assistance
which you gave the Child Jesus
in that midnight thunderstorm so long ago.

Brave Christopher, may our prayers ascend in tribute
to the lesson of your legend,
and in thanks for all heavenly help to travelers on the Road of Life
whose footing slips in dark storms of loneliness and confusion,
or on paths of daunting dangers in a challenging world.

Surely the Child Jesus still blesses all those
who lend assistance to their fellow wayfarers:
each earthly Christopher-Christ-Bearer who aids
another through the thunder-bolts and lightning strikes of life.

Let us all then be Christophers!
And let us all thank Christophers,
as we make our way hand-in-hand together through the darkness
across myriad raging rivers, to sublime safety
with the Child-God and Trinity awaiting us
on a brilliant, bright heavenly shore
with outstretched arms of welcome.

Amen

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