A Prayer to St. Christopher

As summer hits its stride, I know that, like me, many of you are embarking upon vacations. I will be a road warrior this weekend, with the ultimate destination of the Jersey Shore. First, though, my son and I are taking a major detour to attend the US Open Golf Tournament outside of Pittsburgh. While my son is too young for a bucket list, this is a big item in mine. Jerry and Moose, equally uninterested in golf, will be waiting for us in Avalon when we arrive on Monday.

In high school, my first boyfriend gave me a St. Christopher’s medal, and I learned then that he was the patron saint of travelers (St. Christopher, not my then-boyfriend.) I have long since lost the necklace, but I like this simple prayer to meditate upon:

Dear Saint Christopher, protect me today
in all my travels along the road’s way.
Give your warning sign if danger is near
so that I may stop while the path is clear.
Be at my window and direct me through
when the vision blurs from out of the blue.
Carry me safely to my destined place,
like you carried Christ in your close embrace.

Amen.

Whether you are driving to the grocery store, or flying across the ocean, I hope all your journeys are safe. Today I especially hold close to my heart those who lost loved ones in the plane crash in India, both in the plane and on the ground.

God Bless,

Margaret

Margaret Keightley
Executive Director
Catholic Community Foundation of the Diocese of Richmond