St Christopher is the best-known saint of the road: in many cars and on countless key rings he accompanies the journey. His name means “Christ-bearer”. Who was he?
Who was Christopher?
Christopher is said to have died as a martyr in the 3rd century in Lycia (modern Turkey), probably in the reign of Emperor Decius around 250. Very little is known about his historical life. What is certain is that he was venerated from early on. In the calendar reform of 1969 his feast was removed from the General Roman Calendar because historical evidence is lacking. He remains in the Martyrologium Romanum, and in the German-speaking world his feast day is still celebrated today.
Legend and tradition
The well-known legend tells of a giant of a man who wanted to serve the most powerful lord in the world. A hermit advised him to carry travellers across a dangerous river. One night a child asked to be taken across. In the middle of the water the load grew heavier and heavier. On the bank the child said that he had carried not only the world but its Creator.
This is a legend, a pious story without historical evidence. But it makes clear what the name says: bearing Christ.
Feast day
In the German-speaking world, the feast day of St Christopher is 24 July. The Martyrologium Romanum, the register of the saints of the Catholic Church, gives 25 July, and Protestant calendars 26 July. Regional and denominational calendars may differ.
Patronage
- Travellers and pilgrims
- Drivers and motorists
- Boatmen and ferrymen
- One of the Fourteen Holy Helpers
“Patron saint” means that people ask this saint to intercede for them with God. No guarantee or promise of miracles is attached to it.
Attributes and depiction
Christopher is shown as a giant with a long staff, carrying the Child Jesus on his shoulder through a river. According to the legend, the staff put forth leaves. A famous example is the large statue of St Christopher in Cologne Cathedral.
A short prayer
St Christopher, you carried Christ. Pray for all who are on the road today. Help us to drive carefully and to arrive safely, and give us gratitude for every journey. Amen.
A simple prayer in our own words, to pray along.
Customs
In the 20th century, with the arrival of the car, Christopher became the patron saint of motorists. Since then there have been St Christopher car medals that are fixed in the car after being blessed, and St Christopher keyrings. Around 24 July many parishes invite people to vehicle blessings, often on St Christopher’s Sunday.
The medal is a sign of faith, not a technical safeguard. It is a reminder to drive carefully.
You can read how to take St Christopher with you on journeys and pilgrim routes in the magazine: St Christopher on journeys and on the Camino de Santiago.
Matching items at LUNEXUS
- St Christopher car medal, antique finish, Ø 3.6 cm – blessed & magnet
- St Christopher car medal Ø 3.5 cm – blessed medal with magnet
- St Christopher olive wood keyring 9 cm – blessed
- St Christopher stainless steel medal with chain – blessed
- St Christopher with the Child Jesus – hand-carved statue from South Tyrol
The wooden statues from our woodcarving workshop are hand-carved in Val Gardena (South Tyrol) and come directly from the workshop: delivery time approx. 3–4 weeks, insured shipping to Germany and Austria only (€6.90). The statues are not blessed in our warehouse, and the 14-day statutory right of withdrawal applies to them.
Many, but not all, of our items are blessed in our own warehouse by a Catholic priest from the Diocese of Fulda. A business-card-sized certificate card showing the date of the blessing is then enclosed; whether an item is blessed is stated in its title or description. Shipped via Amazon's logistics network – free within Germany, €5.90 to Austria and France; Italy €6.90, Spain €6.90. Returns are possible within 30 days.
More to choose from: all St Christopher items and all patron saints. Parishes and groups will find an offer on request on the quantity discount page (does not apply to wooden statues from the woodcarving workshop).
Keep reading in the magazine: A driving test gift with St Christopher
Frequently asked questions
When is St Christopher’s Day?
In the German-speaking world, on 24 July. The Martyrologium Romanum gives 25 July, and Protestant calendars 26 July.
What does the St Christopher medal in the car mean?
It is a sign of faith and of a prayer for a good journey. It does not replace caution and attention at the wheel.
Can the medal be blessed?
Yes. Parishes offer vehicle and medal blessings around 24 July. Many of our St Christopher items are already blessed by a Catholic priest from the Diocese of Fulda before dispatch; this is stated in each product.
Sources: Ökumenisches Heiligenlexikon (Ecumenical Lexicon of Saints), the Martyrologium Romanum and the regional calendar for the German-speaking area. We flag legends as such; prayers are, unless stated otherwise, our own simple wording. Compiled by Denis & Belinda, as of October 2026.
