Sterling Silver Saint Christopher Medal (with Chain)

Sinderella's note

Saint Christopher carries you, my child. The medal goes on the dashboard or on the chain. Italian Catholic households put one in every car at the moment of purchase. Sinderella has one on the visor of the Cadillac and another on the chain she's been wearing since she was nineteen. Buy a real silver one. The dollar-store ones don't ride right.

The long version

Saint Christopher is the patron of travelers, drivers, and journeys. The silver medal is one of the oldest Catholic protection charms in continuous use — Italian and Mediterranean Catholics put one on the dashboard or visor of every car at the moment of purchase, and many wear one on a chain around the neck for daily protection. The folk story: Saint Christopher carried the Christ child across a river, so he carries *whoever* is in the river — physically (drivers, travelers) and metaphorically (anyone moving through transition). The 1969 Catholic calendar reform downgraded his official feast day, but folk Catholic devotion did not flinch. He is still in every Italian Catholic glove compartment. The *real silver* version (sterling, ~$25 on Amazon) is worth the spend over the cheap base-metal versions — silver doesn't tarnish your skin or your car interior, lasts a lifetime, and *feels* right when you grip it during a hard drive. The medal usually comes with a small chain; you can also clip it directly to a car visor or rearview mirror. Sinderella has one on the Cadillac's visor and another on the chain she's been wearing since she was nineteen. Saint Christopher for the trip. Saint Joseph for the household you're driving home to.