In short: A St Christopher suits a passed driving test: a car medal with a magnet or a keyring for their first set of keys. St Christopher is regarded as the patron saint of travellers and drivers. Most pieces with us cost between €14.90 and €19.90 and are blessed, with a certificate. The gift is a sign of blessing and a companion, not a promise of protection.
Passing the driving test is a big step for young people: freedom, responsibility, the first car. Many parents, grandparents and godparents want to give something for it that is more than a voucher. A St Christopher has long been a classic gift for this. This article explains who St Christopher was, what variants there are and what to look out for when choosing.
Who is St Christopher?
Christopher means “Christ-bearer”. According to the legend he was a strong man who wanted to serve the most powerful lord. He finally found him in Christ. His task: to carry people safely across a dangerous river. One day a child asked him to take them across, and grew heavier with every step. On the other bank the child said that he had carried the whole world and its Creator.
You will find his legend, his feast day and a prayer for drivers in the Saints’ Lexicon: St Christopher.
Whether Christopher really existed is uncertain; the story is a legend. His feast day is usually observed on 24 July (25 July in some calendars). At many churches there is a blessing of vehicles around this day. Because he carries travellers safely to their destination, he became the patron saint of pilgrims, travellers and later of drivers. More in our article St Christopher.
What does a St Christopher mean as a gift?
The gift says: “Arrive safely.” It is a sign that you are thinking of the recipient and wish them a good journey. For believers there is the added thought that God accompanies the journey. It has nothing to do with magic: St Christopher does not replace a glance in the rear-view mirror. We promise no protection. We offer a companion and a sign of faith.
What variants are there?
Car medal with magnet
The classics. The medals are round, oval or angular and measure about 2.3 to 4.8 cm. On the back is a magnet, and an adhesive pad for fixing is included. There are many designs to choose from, in silver, gold, blue or red. Examples:
- St Christopher car medal Ø 3.5 cm (€15.90, blessed), a timeless design.
- Medal with the German inscription “Komm gut heim” (“come home safely”) Ø 3 cm (€15.90, blessed), with a wish on the medal.
- Medal with the German inscription “Gute Fahrt” (“have a good journey”) Ø 3 cm (€15.90, blessed).
- Stained-glass car medal Ø 3 cm (€15.90, blessed, with velvet pouch), lovely as a wrapped gift.
Keyrings
Your keys are something you hold every day. Popular are:
- The keyring with olive wood frame (€14.90, blessed).
- The keyring with the German inscription “Komm gut heim” (“come home safely”) in blue (€15.90, blessed).
- The St Christopher and guardian angel keyring (€14.90), embossed on both sides.
Other saints for drivers
If the recipient cannot relate to St Christopher, there are alternatives. The St Benedict car medal (€15.90, blessed) is popular with many, and with the guardian angel as a motif, for example in the double pendant, a bridge to the thought of angels is built as well. More in the article Guardian angels: meaning, prayer and gift ideas.
St Christopher or guardian angel?
Both stand for being kept safe, but with a different emphasis. Christopher is a man who carried travellers, and stands for the journey and arriving. The guardian angel accompanies every person everywhere, not just in the car. For passing the driving test, St Christopher fits most directly. Anyone looking for a gift for a young person who has more of a feeling for angels will choose the guardian angel. Both together come in the double pendant.
Blessed: what does that mean with us?
A Catholic priest from the Diocese of Fulda blesses many of our items in our warehouse. A certificate card the size of a business card, showing the date of the blessing, is then enclosed with the parcel. Whether an item is blessed is stated in the product title. If you would like to repeat the blessing at a vehicle blessing in your parish as well, that is possible at any time. Contact your parish for this.
Tips for handing it over
- Personal card: Two sentences from you have more effect than the medal itself. For example: “Always arrive safely. We are thinking of you.”
- The right moment: Best straight after passing the test or on the first outing together.
- Fixing: It is best to stick the medal on a clean, smooth surface, such as the dashboard. Important: it must not obstruct the view or the airbags.
- Combination: A keyring for the key, a medal for the car. Together you are at about €30.
Other occasions for St Christopher
Not only for passing the driving test: the saint also suits a farewell, a journey, a new car or a birthday for frequent drivers and pilgrims. You will find all the pieces in the Driving test gifts collection and the St Christopher collection. Car medals and magnets and keyrings can also be discovered individually there.
Shipped via Amazon's logistics network – free within Germany, €5.90 to Austria and France; Italy €6.90, Spain €6.90. You have 30-day returns. For driving schools, parishes or groups: from 10 items we grant 10%, from 25 items 15%, from 50 items 20% (quote on request, see quantity discount; does not apply to wooden statues from the woodcarving workshop).
Frequently asked questions
What do you give for passing the driving test?
Popular are a St Christopher (car medal or keyring), a keyring with a personal card or a guardian angel for the rear-view mirror. As a believer you are giving a wish for blessing with it.
How do you fix a St Christopher medal in the car?
Our medals have a magnet and an adhesive pad. It holds on a clean, smooth surface such as the dashboard. Make sure it does not restrict your view.
Does St Christopher protect against accidents?
We give no promise of protection. St Christopher is a sign of faith and a companion. Safe driving remains the driver’s responsibility.
When is St Christopher’s Day?
Usually on 24 July, in some calendars on 25 July. Many parishes bless vehicles around this day.
Does the medal have to be blessed?
No, but many people value it. With us, a large part of the St Christopher items are blessed, as stated in the product title. The enclosed certificate bears the date of the blessing.
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