It was devotion to the Cross, the sign of our redemption, that gave rise to the Medal of St. Benedict, for devotion to this medal is, above all, devotion to the sign of our salvation. It is the only medal in the Church that is blessed with a special exorcism. Thus it is well known for its power against the evil spirit, temptations, and its efficacy in healing mental and bodily sufferings.
There is no special way prescribed for carrying or wearing the Medal of St. Benedict. It can be worn on a chain around the neck, attached to one's rosary or scapular, kept in one's pocket or purse, or placed in one's car or home. The medal is often put into the foundations of houses and buildings, on the walls of barns and sheds, or in one's place of business. Sometimes a large version of the medal is placed over the entrance to the home.
The purpose of using the medal is to call down God’s blessing and protection upon us through the intercession of St. Benedict. The array of inscriptions and prayers engraved on the medal are valuable lessons worth meditating on. The lessons found there can be pondered over and over to bring true peace of mind and heart into our lives as we struggle to overcome the weaknesses of our human nature and realize that our human condition is not perfect, but that with the help of God and the intercession of the saints our condition can become better. The constant and devout use of the medal becomes a silent prayer – a reminder of our Faith and of our obligation as followers of Christ to do good and avoid evil.
It is not known when the first medals of St. Benedict were struck, and the design has changed slightly over the centuries. Central to the medal has always been the cross, as the great symbol of salvation. We know from ancient writings that St. Benedict had deep faith in the sign of the cross and worked many miracles through it, and the medal was called the “medal cross of St. Benedict.” The first medals pictured St. Benedict holding the cross in one hand and the Benedictine rule in the other. Over time, other additions were made, such as invocations asking for strength in temptation and during the hour of death. Historical medals also had a series of capital letters placed around a large figure of a cross, the meaning of which was forgotten for centuries, until a 1415 manuscript was discovered which explained the letters as initials of a Latin exorcism prayer.
The St. Benedict medal most commonly known today is the jubilee medal, struck in 1880 to mark the 1400th anniversary of the birth of St. Benedict. This medal incorporated all of the symbols and devotions associated with the St. Benedict medal over the centuries, and is therefore the clearest representation of the medal’s purpose. Countless conversions have been wrought through the use of this medal. It has been devoutly used for centuries - in war, pestilence, natural disasters, and accidents of all kinds. More about the history of the medal can be read here.
The front of the medal pictures St. Benedict, holding the cross and the rule of his order. The Cross is the symbol of salvation, the rule of St. Benedict exhorts us to “walk in God’s ways with the Gospel as our guide.” The raven and shattered cup represent two failed assassination attempts that occurred during the Saints life, symbols of God’s protection from the evil that tried to harm him. Above these are the words in Latin “The Cross of our holy father Benedict.” On the outside of the medal is a Latin prayer invoking St. Benedict’s aid as patron of a happy death: “May we be strengthened by his presence in the hour of our death!”
On the back of the medal the cross is dominant in the center. On the arms of the cross are the initials of a Latin prayer: “May the holy cross be my light! May the dragon never be my guide!” Above the cross is the Benedictine motto, “Pax!” And along the margin of the medal the initial letters represent a Latin exorcism prayer against satan: “begone Satan! Never tempt me with your vanities! What you offer me is evil. Drink the poison yourself!” More about the symbolism of the St. Benedict medal can be read here.
Yes. The Saint Benedict medal should not be viewed as a good luck charm; its power does not come from itself, but from the many benefits and graces bestowed upon it by the Church. To obtain these it is important (like all sacramental) that the medal be blessed by a Priest. We have the full approved blessing of the medal of St. Benedict posted at the bottom of this page. If you would like us to have a medal you purchase blessed before shipping it to you, we will be more than happy to have that done. Please put a note in the comment section of your order at checkout.
St. Benedict medals can be used by anyone, including non-Catholics. They are valuable aids in practicing the spiritual life and a protection against the devil. They are especially recommended for those struggling with temptations or other evil influences in their lives, the sick and dying, or those struggling with other sufferings of body and mind.
Most come in a variety of types of metals to serve a variety of needs and price ranges: assorted base metals, pewter, nickel silver, sterling silver, gold filled and karat gold. They also come in a range of different sizes for either personal use or use in the home. The medals are made in the U.S.A or imported from Europe. An optional information leaflet is also available which explains the use of the medal and its benefits.
