Saint Christopher Essay Dec 5 2017

Mikey Koenig Mr. Campbell Religion 10-9 December 15, 2017 Saint Christopher is one of the oldest saints in the Catholic Church, and one who displayed fearlessness, tremendous strength, and unimaginable sacrifice. Although the existence of Saint Christopher is often questioned, there lies enough evidence to insist that Christopher was a real follower of God. As a devoted worker, many tales and stories have been attributed to his time guiding travelers across a rough river for his service to God. Saint Christopher is the patron for travelers, those who died a holy death, and storms, as he truly put his faith to the max in hopes of pleasing our Lord. Saint Christopher is believed to have been a seven-and-a-half-foot tall Canaanite man named Reprobus who served the king around 200 A.D. After time working for the king (Who is believed to be Decius) he decided he wanted to serve someone with more power. For this reason, he turned to the Devil and sought to follow a man who claimed to be Satan Himself. Reprobus noticed after time that this man avoided only one thing: A Christian cross. He realized that there was something that had power over even the Devil, and that, of course, was Jesus Christ. Reprobus turned to a local Hermit who advised him to follow God through fasting and prayer, which displeased him. As a compromise, the Hermit told Reprobus to use his great size and strength to guide travelers across a local river. After assuming his new role as the protector of travelers across the river, Reprobus found himself helping a child one day. The young one asked for a ride across, and Reprobus put him

on his shoulders. Mid-way across the river, the young child gained an immense amount of weight and nearly drowned both him and Reprobus, but the child claimed he was Jesus Christ, and all the weight of the world’s sin was on Reprobus’ shoulders. Reprobus, alarmed and inspired, pushed until they got across, and it was here that he was baptized by the child and had his name was changed to Christopher. Christopher means “Christ-Bearer,” for he carried the infant to safety. I chose Saint Christopher because he represents a strong man who turned from evil and served the Lord. After a past of struggling to find inner-peace and a history of wanting to serve the most powerful authority, Christopher found the all-powerful Jesus. It was at this point that he realized that he had found his calling. Christopher did not want to fast because he was a large man who needed a vast sum of food to feel satisfied, so instead he helped others. Although I believe it is each of our callings to fast on required days, to pray on all occasions, and to follow each of Gods requirements, I also feel a strong desire to do more. I feel that my calling is more hands-on than just praying and fasting, and Saint Christopher is an excellent example of somebody who did just that and still pleased God. Saint Christopher, I pray that through your intercession and with the help of your wisdom, I may be confident in pursuing whatever challenge God may be calling on me to answer. I hope that, with your assistance, I may be confident in my own abilities and that I may follow God in whatever way suits me and pushes me to the best of my abilities. I pray that I may carry the weight of my own sins on my shoulders and learn from my mistakes. Amen.

MLA Citations About the Saint Christopher Story.” About Saint Christopher | History of Saint Christopher | St Christopher Biography | St Christopher Story, www.st-christopher-medal.com/. Online, Catholic. “St. Christopher - Saints & Angels.” Catholic Online, Catholic Online, www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=36. St Christopher The Patron Saint of Travelers.” St Christopher The Patron Saint of Travelers - All Patron Saints, 1 July 2002, www.allpatronsaints.com/St-Christopher.aspx. Tidmarsh, Marcus. “Saint Christopher.” Saint Christopher, 2017, www.catholicsaints.info/patron-saints/saint-christopher.htm