The Legend of Saint Christopher

Children/Saints/Intermediate

The Legend of Saint Christopher Quest for a King

Christopher is the biggest and strongest person in town. But could there be someone out there who is even more powerful? Join Christopher as he sets off on an adventure that brings him in contact with kings, demons, soldiers, and a little child who just might know what strength is all about.

$14.95 U.S.

ISBN 0-8198-4588-4

kids www.JClubCatholic.org

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Library of Congress Control Number: 2016958839 CIP data is available.

ISBN 10: 0-8198-4588-4 ISBN 13: 978-0-8198-4588-7

예수님을 업은 크리스토포로 (Christopher Bearing Jesus on His Back) © 2014

by LEE Hyoun-­ju, www.pauline.or.kr.

Translated by Kyung Hee Yoon.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

“P” and PAULINE are registered trademarks of the Daughters of St. Paul.

Originally published by Pauline Books & Media, Seoul, Korea. All rights reserved.

Copyright © 2017, Daughters of St. Paul for English Edition Published by Pauline Books & Media, 50 Saint Pauls Avenue, Boston, MA 02130–­3491 Printed in the U.S.A. LOSC VSAUSAPEOILL12-1210078 4588-4 www.pauline.org Pauline Books & Media is the publishing house of the Daughters of St. Paul, an international congregation of women religious serving the Church with the communications media.

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21 20 19 18 17

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chapter 1

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birth of a giant

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the 3rd century, in the biblical town of canaan

virgin mary, please ask god to help me and my husband.

we’ve been married for fifteen years and still have no baby.

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mother mary, i promise that if god answers my prayers, i’ll raise our child to be faithful, honest, and helpful to others.

hear my prayer, dear mother. amen.

*looks right* *looks left*

i’ve been wondering where my wife goes every night. . . .

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a month later

have a good night, sir!

honey, i’m home! bye.

where are you? oh, you’re home? i didn’t hear you come in.

munch!

crunch! there you are. i’ve been looking all over for you.

crunch

mu n

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c h!

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what are you doing?

i’m eating . . .

your cheeks look like they’re about to pop!

i couldn’t wait. . . i’m just so hungry.

why didn’t you wait for me to eat dinner?

of course. it’s delicious!

i’m hungry too. can i have some?

ahhh

barf barf! barf barf!

b la r gh!

sorry. . . all of a sudden i feel sick! what’s going on?

*das h

*

barf

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barf could i be . . . ?

nine months later

is my wife ok?

hh !

! wa a h

push!

hh

! wa a h

ah

oh . . . i have a son!

congrats, sir! it’s a boy!

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later in a temple dedicated to the greek pagan god apollo

oh, great apollo! i dedicate my precious son to you.

look after him and protect him.

my son belongs to the god apollo. offerus will be mighty and will help us all!

hoo ray!!

hooray!!

his name is offerus.

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although offerus’ mother was christian, she was not able to raise her son in the faith. he grew up to be very tall and was strong enough to do things others could not. people often asked for his help. offerus found that the more he served others, the more his desire to serve grew.

! s u s! er off offe ru

offerus, are you busy?

no. how can i help you?

i’m trying to remove a tree trunk, but i can’t do it.

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ok. i can help you to do that.

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grunt

n ya

k

wow!

that huge trunk was Like a twig to you!

sir!

it was easy!

Son!

fwoosh!

Offerus, Can you move all the rocks in the river to make a reservoir?

yes, father, i’ll be there right away.

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you must be so proud of Your son.

He moved all those rocks in one day!

his strength and height are gifts from the gods.

over there, offerus!

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