2. Saint Christopher’s Role in Wealth Accumulation
Through his very nature as the Guardian of Prosperity and his effort in helping others, it is quite evident that Saint Christopher’s calling in life was to seek the betterment and wealth of others.
As proof of his abilities in bringing fortune to travelers, there is an old medal which bears an image of Saint Christopher mantled with the words “Grant Me Good Fortune.” The saint’s blessing was such that whoever wore the medal would not have a disastrous accident that day. This legend of the medal and the guarantees it brings are the primary reason why at one point, over 3 million of these medals were minted during the war in the Mediterranean.
Upon meeting a hermit who took him in and instructed him on the right path, Christopher fixed his mind to serve Christ and set out to remain a hermit. Through his devotion to Christ and acts of charity, many people sought him out for guidance. This confirmed his status as the Patron Saint of Travelers.
According to legend, Saint Christopher was a tall, strong man who could not bear the thought of serving a greater power. He originally served the Devil because he saw the Devil as the more powerful of the two. However, when he saw the Devil avoiding a cross on the side of the road, he questioned the Devil and was told that the sight of the cross would cause the Devil to lose power. From this point, he sought out Christ. He is most often referred to as the man who carried Christ across the river.
For a very long time, Saint Christopher has been recognized as the “Guardian of Prosperity.” His numerous legends and attributes all point to the fact that this Patron Saint of Travelers has an uncanny ability to help those in need and bring fortune to the less fortunate.
2.1. Patron Saint of Travelers and Merchants
Apart from the needs of the common traveler, the seeking of luxury items has been taken quite differently at different stages of the church’s history.
At times, outright bans have been placed on the import or sale of certain items, classing them as damaging to the moral fiber of the Christian community and thus labeling any who procure such items as sinners.
While not condoning the disobedience of ecclesiastical law, the saint’s followers would pray to him to intercede on their behalf, asking only that they might be able to purchase such items without committing sinful acts and thus avoiding the many pitfalls that lead a person into poverty. In modern times, this has been seen as a prayer for guidance in making wise investments, ensuring that one might reap the rewards of their labor without suffering loss.
To aid in accumulating their wealth, travelers and merchants would prayerfully invoke Saint Christopher’s protection, praying for his vigilance and guidance in making their journeys as safe as possible.
Here, his role as the patron saint of travel, written in most historical texts, comes into play as the provider of the wealth-bestowing touch. Herein lies his role in acquiring prosperity, safeguarding both the lives and possessions of his believers.
By ensuring that nothing should hinder the traveler on his way from purchasing what is needed to sustain life and livelihood, to acquiring those things that are considered luxury items, Saint Christopher embodies the spirit behind the accumulation of wealth.
2.2. Prayers and Rituals for Wealth and Prosperity
A far more simple and common means of invoking Christopher’s aid is to merely pray to him whenever one is faced with financial difficulty.
Monetarists and coin collectors can take advantage of the various medals, coins, and even currency issued with Christopher’s image. Many have reported that just carrying one of these items in their wallet miraculously prevented them from going into debt or running out of money.
A practice learned from the Far East involves having an amulet made with Christopher’s name in the form of a sigil or several pieces of script. This is based on the belief that magical entities recognize writing as a valid form of summoning, and having the sigil of a spirit or demon would dominate it. The same reasoning also applies to angels and saints. An example of a Saint Christopher money sigil can be found at the end of this article.
Do not leave the “Prayers and Rituals” section without offering practical advice on how to invoke the intercession of Saint Christopher. As was mentioned earlier, Christopher is often a silent advocate, working behind the scenes. Time-honored tradition has it that if you bury, head downwards, a small statue or medal of Saint Christopher in your front yard, you will not only sell your home quickly but also reap a financial profit. This hearkens back to Christopher’s patronage as the god of fruitfulness and fertility.
2.3. Miracles and Testimonials of Saint Christopher’s Intervention
One instance of a miracle associated with travelers involved a young man on a motorbike trip around the mountains in Japan. He had little or no money and was counting on the goodwill and hospitality of those he met on the way. Climbing a steep path, eventually, he tried to ride the bike up it but was forced to admit defeat and return to a small hotel at the bottom.
The subsequent day, he discovered that had he made it to the top of the trail, he would have arrived at a tiny village that had just the previous week been chosen for some street development by the local government. The hotel owner, understanding things to come, suggested that the traveler’s bike would be in the way and asked him to move it. Returning to the trail, the traveler discovered that it had been completely covered in rolled tarmac and knowing that had he arrived slick week, he would have been trapped in the village until it was done and surely would have run out of cash.
As a result of his mystical and legendary character, Saint Christopher has apparently been able to listen to and reply to individuals in need.
There is a wealth of stories regarding individuals who have invoked the saint’s help in times of trouble and have been miraculously aided. There are also those who, having pledged themselves to the service of St. Christopher, have received that help in more refined ways. The following selection of stories and testimonials will attest to the saint’s ability to intercede on behalf of individuals seeking to develop wealth.