The triduum, motorcade, and blessing of vehicles are some of the devotions celebrated in parishes dedicated to the saint; Learn about the testimony of someone whose prayer was answered by Saint Christopher
Laura Lo Monaco
From the Editorial Team
Saint Christopher and the child Jesus holding the globe / Photo: PASCOM Parish of Saint Christopher in Valinhos
On this Thursday, the 25th, the Church remembers the martyr Saint Christopher, known as the protector of travelers and drivers. In parishes that have Saint Christopher as their patron, the celebrations begin three days prior, with the triduum and, on the 25th, the traditional motorcade and blessing of vehicles take place—a moment when the faithful ask for the saint’s intercession and protection from all dangers and accidents.
According to tradition, Réprobo—Saint Christopher’s name before his conversion—was a man of great stature and rough appearance. With military training and remarkable physical strength, he sought to serve the most powerful king in the world. After a period of searching, he discovered that no king on Earth compared to Jesus Christ. He then converted to Catholicism and, after the catechesis of an hermit, was baptized. He began to live along the banks of a turbulent river, helping people cross it, thus serving Jesus by helping others.
Conversion
On one occasion, a child appeared and asked to be taken to the other side. With the child on his shoulders, Réprobo started the crossing. In the middle of the riverbed, the child became very heavy, and they almost sank. When they reached the other bank, Saint Christopher asked the child: “Why are you so heavy?”. He replied: “Because I carry the weight of the world.” That child was Jesus Christ, the Creator, who carried the weight of the world.
Fr. Maurício Inácio of the Parish of Saint Christopher, in Valinhos / Photo: personal archive
The pastor of the Parish of Saint Christopher in Valinhos (SP), Father Maurício Inácio, explains that this moment is precisely what is represented in the image of the saint: him carrying the Child Jesus on his shoulders and the Child holding the globe in his hand.
Saint Christopher doubted this mystical vision, then the child Jesus asked him to bury his staff at the riverbank. The next day, the staff had turned into a palm tree, which encouraged the saint to abandon the river crossing and begin to proclaim the name of Jesus. This story marks the conversion of Réprobo, who becomes Christopher—in Latin “the one who carries Christ.”
Patron of travelers and drivers
Father Maurício points out that the saint of the day is the patron of travelers and drivers because “he carried the Child Jesus and all those in need.” Also because the name Christopher means “bearer of Christ.” “He carried Jesus, he bore Jesus wherever he went, which is also an image of all Christians.”
After converting many people, Saint Christopher was sentenced to death by Emperor Decius for boldly proclaiming the name of Jesus. He was martyred in Lycia, modern-day Turkey.
Devotion in Brazil
In Brazil, especially in parishes that have Saint Christopher as their patron, motorcades are held with various vehicles—cars, motorcycles, and trucks—with the procession of the saint’s image. They conclude with a blessing for the drivers and their vehicles.
Traditional motorcade in honor of Saint Christopher Photo PASCOM Parish of Saint Christopher in Valinhos
Furthermore, the saint’s devotees often carry a small image of Saint Christopher printed along with their driver’s license in their wallets and a prayer.
The priest explains that “the priests usually hold masses that precede the Day of Saint Christopher, but because it is also the Day of Saint James, only the day of Saint Christopher is celebrated in parishes whose patron is Saint Christopher. For the entire Church, it is the Day of Saint James, the apostle. Thus, here at the parish of Saint Christopher in Valinhos, we will hold masses for three days leading up to the day of Saint Christopher (the triduum), and the motorcade is transferred to the following Sunday.”
Intercession of Saint Christopher
Nelson Vedovatto, 54, shares that he has participated in the saint’s festival since childhood in July. He mentions that the motorcade is a highly anticipated devotional practice among parishioners: “I said that one day I would have my truck to go in the parade and ask for Saint Christopher’s blessings. When I reached the age and became a driver, I already had my truck and since then I have never missed participating. I have had the grace of carrying Saint Christopher leading the parade.”
Nelson Vedovatto at the Parish of Saint Christopher, in Valinhos – SP / Photo: personal archive
The parishioner shared a very significant episode in his life where Saint Christopher interceded for him: “On a trip returning from Minas Gerais, I was surrounded by a car, taken hostage and my truck was stolen. I spent the whole day in captivity, and at every moment, my captor would tell me that my time was coming. The only thing I could do was pray to our Lord Jesus, asking for my life.” Nelson reveals that he also asked for the intercession of Our Lady and Saint Christopher. “I asked him, who crossed people, delivering them from the dangers of the river, to also free me from that danger. I was answered and today I am certain that, with the intercession of Saint Christopher, I was released from captivity and was able to return to my family.”