St. Christopher, one of the most well-known saints in popular piety, has a feast day on July 25, but is no longer on the Roman Calendar.
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St. Christopher is well-known in Catholic popular piety for being the patron saint of all travelers. The legendary story of St. Christopher carrying the child Jesus continues to be featured in artwork, holy cards and religious medals.
However, few know that his feast day is July 25 in the Roman Catholic Church.
This is primarily because St. James the Apostle is celebrated on July 25 and his feast has always held prominence over St. Christopher.
For a time St. Christopher’s name did receive a “commemoration” at Mass on July 25, though his feast never took the place of St. James.
In 1969, St. Paul VI issued the motu proporio,Mysterii Paschalis, which simplified the calendar and removed some names from it, such as St. Christopher.
It cannot be denied, however, that in the course of centuries the feasts of the saints have become more and more numerous. The Sacred Synod has therefore decreed: “Lest the feasts of the saints take precedence over the feasts which commemorate the very mysteries of salvation, many of them should be left to be celebrated by a particular Church or nation or religious community; only those should be extended to the universal Church which commemorate saints who are truly of universal significance.”
Furthermore, St. Christopher, like St. Valentine, was removed from the General Calendar due to doubts from historians regarding the historicity of the saint and his precise origins.
However, he is still celebrated by many Eastern Christians on May 9, and continues to hold special place in the hearts of many, both East and West.
And today we celebrate...
