Saint Christopher carries the Child Jesus on his shoulders: He had the weight of the world! patron of drivers
Reprobus was a tall man of Herculean strength, resembling the ancient giants of the pre-flood era or the Goliath of the Old Testament. He was born in Canaan in the 3rd century and grew up with great physical imposition, which soon made him a victorious warrior, desired by the armies to secure his victories. But he was the son of a King of Canaanite who did not give him any religious teaching, even less Christian. But one day, in his manias of greatness, he decided that he needed to work and serve the greatest king of the earth, leaving in his search.
He finally found him and went on to serve him. But he noticed that he was distressed when they sang a certain song in which the name of such a devil was quoted, then making the sign of the cross. He didn't understand anything! and decided to ask the meaning of that. The king answered him that it was to drive away that being quoted in the music from near him. Soon the warrior saw that he was serving the wrong king, for he was not the greatest of all. You should then look to the devil to serve him.
The demon in his cleverness soon stood in his way in the middle of a desert, presenting himself to the giant as being the greatest on earth. Réprobo has not blinked and has already begun to follow him. But in one of the paths they made, the devil spotted a cross and quickly changed the path.
Asked why he reasoned, the demon had no way out and explained that there was a man named Jesus Christ who was nailed to a cross to save all mankind. So when I saw a cross, I had to run, because I couldn't face this Jesus.
The warrior saw that he was following the wrong person again, for it was Jesus who must find him to serve him! He has already set off on another investigative journey until he encountered a hermit who instructed him to help people cross a flowing river, because it is difficult for them to make the crossing alone. Thus, he taught him that with this attitude he would be helping others, for that is what God in the person of Jesus does - then he would find Him.
He settled next to the river and helped people day and night. One day, a boy woke him up asking him to help him cross the river. He soon concluded: quiet, a slight boy, I do it quickly! He put it on his shoulder, took his bat and began the crossing. But as the river entered, the boy grew heavier and heavier, sinking it deeper and deeper into the water as it advanced. He came to fear for his life and that of the child for fear of not reaching the other shore.
But with great effort he finished the crossing and said, "Boy, you put us in great danger, you weigh like the world!". The child replied, "You carried on your shoulders even more than the whole world, carried your Creator! I am the Jesus you are serving! "
And Jesus went on to say that as proof that He was the God he was looking for, he should take his staff and bury him in the earth beside the hut, he would then fruit and flourish the other day. So he did, and the miracle happened as Jesus prophesied! Reprobus then came to be called Christopher, which means "he who carries Christ" and became a great preacher of Jesus' words, especially in Lycia, converting countless people.
His "fame" as a Christian led to him being captured by emperor Decius, who imposed great torture on him to renounce his faith: he was shot by arrows and had his body passed through iron bars. But he did not renounce God! After that he was beheaded.
Due to the miracle of crossing the river the image of St. Kitts came to be represented with the Child Jesus on his shoulders and He carrying a ball, which in turn represents the world (and its weight!). He also came to be the Patron of Drivers, interceding in the "crossing" of their paths when they resort to their assistance.
SEE or READ more about the appearance of the Child Jesus to St. Kitts and other miracles of this saint by accessing the references of this text below.
References:
SINTONIA COM DEUS. São Cristóvão: o santo que carregou o Menino Jesus.
ARQUIDIOCESE DE SÃO PAULO. São Cristóvão.
BLOG DO CAMINHONEIRO. Por que São Cristóvão é considerado o Padroeiro dos Motoristas?
SANTUÁRIO SANTA PAULINA. Motoristas receberão uma benção especial no dia de São Cristóvão