St. Christopher, the “Christ-bearer,” is the beloved patron saint of travelers and drivers. His medal hangs in countless cars and on key chains, often with the words “St. Christopher, protect us.” According to legend, he carried the Christ Child across a dangerous river and felt the weight of the whole world on his shoulders.
Below are prayers to St. Christopher before a journey and before driving, a family blessing for a car, what the St. Christopher medal means, and his story.
A prayer to St. Christopher before a journey
Written for this page:
St. Christopher, you carried the Christ Child safely across the river.
Carry me, too, through the dangers of this journey.
Protect me and everyone who travels with me,
keep us alert and patient on the way,
and bring us safely to our destination and home again. Amen.
A driver’s prayer
Lord, before I drive, I place this journey in your hands.
Give me a steady hand, a watchful eye and a calm heart.
Keep me from distraction, haste and anger,
and protect everyone on the road today: drivers, cyclists and people on foot.
St. Christopher, pray for us. Amen.
This prayer was written for this page.
A family blessing for a new car
Many parishes bless cars on or near July 25, St. Christopher’s day, and a priest can bless a car at any time. A family can also pray together, written for this page:
Lord God, bless this car and all who will travel in it.
Keep them safe from accidents and harm,
make them courteous and careful drivers,
and let every journey bring them closer to you.
St. Christopher, patron of travelers, pray for us. Amen.
Sprinkle the car with holy water, if you have it, and place a St. Christopher medal or a small cross inside.
The traditional travelers’ prayer
The Church’s ancient prayer before a journey asks the Archangel Raphael to accompany us. See it in full on our patron saint of travelers page.
The St. Christopher medal
The medal shows the giant saint wading through water with the Child Jesus on his shoulder and a staff in his hand. Catholics wear it or keep it in their car as a sign that they place their travels under God’s protection. Like every sacramental, it is not a good-luck charm: it reminds us to pray and to drive with care. Have it blessed by a priest.
The legend of St. Christopher
Christopher was a third-century martyr, probably in Asia Minor. The medieval Golden Legend tells that he was a huge man named Reprobus who wanted to serve the greatest king in the world. He served a king, then the devil, and finally learned from a hermit that Christ was greater still. Unable to fast or pray, he served Christ by carrying travelers across a dangerous river. One night a child asked to be carried; in mid-stream the child became so heavy that Christopher could barely reach the bank. The child said, “You have carried not only the whole world, but him who made it.” From then on he was called Christopher, “Christ-bearer.”
Because historical information about him is very limited, his memorial was removed from the General Roman Calendar in 1969, but he remains a saint in the Roman Martyrology, honored on July 25.
Frequently asked questions
Is St. Christopher still a saint?
Yes. Only his feast was removed from the universal calendar in 1969. He is listed in the Roman Martyrology, and devotion to him is fully approved.
What is St. Christopher the patron saint of?
Travelers, drivers, sailors, transportation workers, and protection against storms and sudden death.
Can I keep a St. Christopher medal in my car?
Yes, it is a very common and good practice, as long as it is a reminder to pray and drive carefully, not a superstition.
More prayers for travel
- Catholic travel prayer
- Patron saint of travelers
- The St. Raphael prayer
- Catholic prayer for protection
- The Guardian Angel prayer
Sources
- Roman Martyrology, July 25; Jacobus de Voragine, The Golden Legend (thirteenth century), “St. Christopher.”
- The prayers were written for this page.