Wednesday, September 23, 2009

The Medal of St. Benedict

This is the jubilee medal of St. Benedict of Nursia, first struck in 1880 to commemorate the 1,400th anniversary of the saint's birth. In the never-ending battle against the world, the flesh and the devil, this medal is powerful both as a sword and as a shield.

From Catholic Encyclopedia, an explanation of the images and inscriptions on the medal:
One side of the medal bears an image of St. Benedict, holding a cross in the right hand and the Holy Rule in the left. On the one side of the image is a cup, on the other a raven, and above the cup and the raven are inscribed the words: "Crux Sancti Patris Benedicti" (Cross of the Holy Father Benedict). Round the margin of the medal stands the legend "Ejus in obitu nro praesentia muniamus" (May we at our death be fortified by his presence). The reverse of the medal bears a cross with the initial letters of the words: "Crux Sacra Sit Mihi Lux" (The Holy Cross be my light), written downward on the perpendicular bar; the initial letters of the words, "Non Draco Sit Mihi Dux" (Let not the dragon be my guide), on the horizontal bar; and the initial letters of "Crux Sancti Patris Benedicti" in the angles of the cross. Round the margin stand the initial letters of the distich: "Vade Retro Satana, Nunquam Suade Mihi Vana — Sunt Mala Quae Libas, Ipse Venena Bibas" (Begone, Satan, do not suggest to me thy vanities — evil are the things thou profferest, drink thou thy own poison). At the top of the cross usually stands the word Pax (peace) or the monogram I H S (Jesus).
The medal of St. Benedict is not a good luck charm, or a fetish, or an amulet. It has no magical powers. It is blessed by a priest who, praying on behalf of the Church, consecrates it to God and asks God to bestow His blessings on the person who uses the medal in a spirit of devotion. When used consciously and devoutly, it is a constant prayer to God for His aid and protection. As a blessed object, as a commemoration of St. Benedict, whom demons feared during his lifetime, and in virtue of the image of the Cross and the inscribed prayer of exorcism, this medal is particularly powerful to drive away the devil and dispel his influence.

The St. Benedict medal may be worn, carried, or placed in a location where God's protection is especially desired, such as in the home, car or office, or in the foundation of a building. Because St. Benedict was always ready to assist those in need and was powerful against the forces of hell even during his life on earth, he is especially invoked by those who face misfortune. His medal is commonly used by those who seek protection against temptation, especially temptations against chastity; protection against demonic activity; the grace of conversion for sinners; bodily healing and protection against contagious disease; protection against poison; protection during natural disasters, especially storms; the safe delivery of babies; and assistance in the hour of death. Fr. Paul of Moll, a Flemish Benedictine wonder worker of the 19th century, gave away large quantities of St. Benedict medals to the people who came to him for advice or relief from misfortune, and attributed all the miracles he worked to the intercession of St. Benedict.

We live in evil, dangerous times. While international threats loom on the horizon, our own nation -- which has become a safe haven for abortion, euthanasia, vice and pornography -- has fallen under the rule of her enemies. Now is the time to take up and not neglect the powerful weapons we have been given.

For we are not contending against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places (Ephesians 6:12).
St. Benedict, pray for us!

1 comment:

  1. Here here, too true, I have personally witnessed and experience the power of God's prayers through this medal, and it has changed many lives of those I have given it to, who needed the special prayer to protect them in a tough spiritual battle... God bless you...

    ReplyDelete