In this age of world travel, the St Christopher is known for bringing luck to travellers and symbolising good fortune for all those undertaking journeys.
Saint Christopher is the patron saint of travellers – but did you know he is also the patron saint of drivers, sailors, storms and gardeners, and is also said to protect against the bubonic plague and even toothache.
Latin name meaning 'good luck, fortune'. In Roman mythology the goddess Felicitas was the personification of good luck. It was borne by a 3rd-century saint, a slave martyred with her master Perpetua in Carthage. The Patron Saint of Good Luck The life of Saint Christopher is shrouded in mystery. Some people think he was a soldier, and St. Christopher is also the patron saint of soldiers, but nobody knows. The patron saints of sailing, Saint Nicholas and Saint Elmo, are believed to be of help in stopping storms and guiding sailors where they need to go. Saint Nicholas specifically is prayed to in order to stop a storm and make way for sailors’ safe passage—Saint Elmo, on the other hand, was portrayed as a sign of faith and fortitude that.
He is one of the saints from a group called the “Fourteen Holy Helpers”. These 14 saints were thought to help fight a number of different diseases, and were often called on during the Black Death in Europe (1346-1353).
Lucky horse charms to make money. Horseshoes are one of the most popular lucky superstitions. Abundantia is the Roman Goddess of fortune, prosperity and abundance. Her name literally means 'plenty' or 'overflowing riches'. She practically identical to Copia, Annona and other similar goddesses and has taken on many forms, including the French 'Olde Dame Habonde', Pietas (Piety), Victoria (Victory), Libertas (Freedom), and Concordia (Harmony) She has also been known as Domina Abundia, Lady Fortune and Notre Dame d'Abondance, the last of which being a faery featured throughout Teutonic.
Saint Christopher – the patron saint of travellers and drivers
![Patron Saint Of Luck And Fortune Patron Saint Of Luck And Fortune](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/zcQAAOSwxM1dCimn/s-l300.jpg)
Coolcat instant play. Saint Christopher is most widely recognised as the patron saint of travellers. Many people would never dream of going on a trip without wearing a St Christopher or carrying some kind of lucky talisman with them.
The story behind the medallion comes from the tale of Saint Christopher helping a child across a river. A child approached Saint Christopher and asked to be helped across. The saint obliged – but as he crossed, the river rose and the child's weight grew and grew until he became extremely heavy. It was only with great determination that Saint Christopher was able to ford the river and safely deliver the child to the other side.
When they reached the other side, Saint Christopher asked the child why he was so heavy. The child explained that He was Christ – and when Saint Christopher carried Him, he also carried the weight of the whole world on his shoulders. The child then vanished.
Stories say Saint Christopher travelled widely after this experience, and evangelised thousands of people. Arriving in Lycia in ancient Asia Minor he witnessed Christians being martyred, and was captured and ordered to offer a sacrifice to the Emperor. He refused, so the Emperor attempted to persuade him with the temptation of money and women. However, he converted the women who were sent to seduce him to Christianity.
Following this the Emperor decided to have him killed. Various attempts to assassinate him failed, but eventually he was arrested and beheaded.
The name 'Christopher' means Christ-bearer – the man who carried the Christ Child across the river. Saint Christopher didn’t become popular in the Church until the 7th Century, about three centuries after his death. It was around this time that churches and monasteries began to be named after him.
Various places in Barcelona celebrate the festival of St. Christopher with traditional blessings for cars and other activities relating to the saint’s legend. One of the most traditional acts takes place in c/ Regomir.
Patron Saint Of Good Luck And Fortune
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The saint used to be called upon to protect against all sorts of things, but over time his patronage has become consolidated for those undertaking a journey as protection against the dangers involved in all travelling, whether by sea, air or land.
Patron Saint Of Good Luck
Barcelona and St. Christopher
The saint was so popular in Barcelona that a number of legends and stories surround him. According to an eight hundred year old tradition, every 10 July on the stroke of noon St. Christopher arrived in the city by boat. He went ashore, and with the infant Jesus on his back he walked up La Rambla and vanished when he got to the top. Those who were lucky enough to see him would enjoy good fortune all year.
Blessings for all sorts of vehicles
The festival of St. Christopher is currently celebrated throughout the day at c/ Regomir, just in front of the chapel dedicated to the saint.
On 10 July the blessing of vehicles takes place, in fact any sort of wheeled vehicle including pushchairs, motorbikes, wheelchairs and lorries, in front of the chapel. The priest blesses the vehicles and gives a sprig of lavender, a commemorative souvenir and a small print of the saint to each driver. Some drivers decorate their cars for the occasion.
For some years now, vintage car enthusiasts make the most of the day to display their vehicles in Pl. Sant Jaume before taking them to be blessed at the chapel in c / Regomir.