Medal of St. Benedict

The medal of St. Benedict, propagated anywhere in the world for more than 300 years, especially by the Benedictine monks, has been famous by its extraordinary effectiveness against the demon and his manifestations; in the defense against curses of all sort, against diseases, specially the contagious ones, against snake bites and other animals; in the protection of domestic animals, vehicles, etc.

Repeated times approved and praised by the Popes, the medal of St. Benedict, that unites the exorcizing strength of the Holy Cross of the Redeemer - the sign of our salvation - the memory of the merits reached about the great sanctity of the great Patriarch St. Benedict, without a doubt is very indicative for the catholic devotees.

The IMAGE OF THE CROSS IN THE MEDAL

It is sufficient for the Christian to briefly consider the sovereign virtue of the Cross of Jesus Christ, to understand the dignity of a medal wherein it is represented.

The Cross awakes in us feelings of gratitude towards God, for the benefit of our salvation.

The Cross causes terror to the malignant spirits, who always back down before her, and as soon as they see it they abandon its prey and flee. Thus, our medal, that represents in the first place the image of the Cross, is in perfect harmony with the Christian mercy, and if only for this reason, it is already worthy of greater respect.

THE IMAGE OF ST. BENEDICT REPRESENTED IN THE MEDAL

The honor to appear in the same medal along with the image of the Holy Cross was granted to St. Benedict with the purpose of indicating the effectiveness that it had in his hands this sacred signal. St. Gregory the Great, who wrote the life of the Saint Patriarch, represents it dissipating his own temptations with the sign of the Cross, and breaking with it the chalice containing a poisoned drink, thus leaving perverse evidence of those that had dared to attempt against his life. When the malignant spirit, to terrify the monks, makes them see their Montecasino Monastery in flames, St. Benedict vanishes the diabolic vision, making the sign of the Cross of our Savior on the fantastic flames. When his disciples are inwardly tempted by the suggestions of the tempter, he indicates as the best solution to make the sign of the Cross on their hearts. From it all, it can be concluded that it was very advisable to join in a single medal the image of the St. Patriarch and that of the Cross of the Savior.

This is still more evident when considering that both great disciples of the servant of God, St. Placid and St. Maurus, when they made their frequent miracles were in the habit of invoking the assistance of the Holy Cross, the name of its saintly Founder, and thus they consecrated, from the beginning, the pious custom expressed later in the medal.

THE CHARACTERS THAT APPEAR IN THE MEDAL

In addition to the images of the Holy Cross and St. Benedict, the medal also has certain letters, each one representing a word in Latin. The diverse reunited words have a sense that indicate the intention of the medal: to express the relationship that exists between St. Patriarch Benedict and the Holy Cross; and at the same time, to avail the faithful an effective means to use the virtue of the Holy Cross against the malignant spirits.

Those mysterious letters are on the side of the medal where the Holy Cross is represented. Let us examine, in the first place, the four placed between the arms of this Cross:

C S

P B

They mean: Cross Sancti Patris Benedicto; in Castilian, Cross of Holy Father Benedict. Those words explain what the medal represents.

In the vertical line de la Cruz it reads:

Which stands for: Sacred cross sit mihi lux; in Castilian, Let the Holy Cross be my Guide.

In the horizontal line of the same Cross, it reads:

N. D. S. M. D.

Which stands for: Non Draco sit mihi dux; in Castilian, Do not allow the dragon be my guide.

Joining those two lines a pentameter verse is formed, by means of which the Christian expresses his confidence in the Holy Cross, and his resistance to the yoke that the demon would want to impose on him.

Around the medal there is one more extensive inscription, that in the first place shows the most holy name of Jesus, expressed by the well known monogram: I. H. S. (In the better known monogram of the Medal of St. Benedict, I. H. S. was replaced by the Benedictine motto PAX; in Castilian, Peace). Thereafter, from right to left, the following letters:

V. R. S. N. S. M. V. S. M. Q. L. I. V. B.

These initials represent the following two verses:

Vade retro satana; nuncuam suave mihi vana

Sunt mala quae libas; ipse venena bibas.

Which in Castilian mean: Step aside, Satan; never advise me of your vanities, the drink that you offer is evil: you yourself drink you own poisons.

Such words were assume to have been said by St. Benedict: those of the first verse, during the temptation that he felt and over which he prevailed by making the sign of the Cross; those of the second verse, at the moment when his enemies presented him with a deadly drink, which was discovered when he blessed with the sign of life the chalice that contained it.

The Christian can use these words at all times when assaulted by temptations and insults of the invisible enemy of our salvation. The same Jesus Christ Our Lord sanctified the words Vade retro, satana – Move aside, Satan - and its value is certain, once the Gospel assures us of it. The vanities that the demon advises us are the disobediences to the law of God, the pomp and false principles of the world. The drink that the angel of darkness presents to us is sin that brings death to the soul. Instead of accepting it, we give it back so unfortunate present to him, since he himself chose it as his patrimony.

It is enough that somebody pronounces with faith such words, to feel immediately with forces to face all the attacks of hell. Even though we would not know the facts that show to what extent Satan fears that medal, the simple consideration of what it represents and what it express, it would be enough so that we considered it one of the most powerful arms than the kindness of God put in our reach against the diabolical malice.

USE OF THE MEDAL OF ST. BENEDICT

We do not ignore that in this century many people consider that the demon is rather an imaginary and non real being; and thus, it can seem strange that a medal is coined and blessed, used as protection against the attacks of the malignant spirit. Nevertheless, the sacred Scriptures offer innumerable passages that give us an idea of the power and the activity of the demons, as well as to the dangers of the soul and body that we are continuously exposed due to their tireless efforts. In order to annihilate their power it is not only enough to ignore the demons and to smile when we hear about their operations. The air will not stop from being contaminated with legions of evil spirits, as taught by St. Paul; and if God did not protect us, even when we are not aware of it, by the ministry of the Holy Angels, it would be for us impossible to avoid the innumerable pitfalls of these enemies of all creatures of God.

However, the power of the Holy Cross against Satan and its legions is such, that we can consider it an impenetrable shield that makes us invulnerable to its attacks.

We thus conclude how advantageous it is to use with faith the medal of St. Benedict whenever we most fear the attacks of the enemy. Its protection, we should not doubt it, will be effective against all type of temptations. Numerous and undeniable facts indicate its powerful aid in thousands of circumstances in which, or by spontaneous action of Satan, or by the effect of some curse, the faithful were on the verge of succumbing before an imminent danger. We will also be able to use it in favor of others, like means of preservation or liberation, to confront oncoming perils.

Often unexpected accidents threaten us, on land or sea; if full of faith we carry with us the medal, we will be protected. There are no human life circumstances, no matter its nature, whereby through the intervention of the Holy Cross and the power of St. Benedict. Thus evil spirits, in their hatred against mankind, attack domestic animals in their service; attack the foods we eat; their evil interventions are the result of many maladies that affect us; now then it has been proven that the use of the medal accompanied by prayer directly stops the evil attacks, and bring a noticeable relief to maladies, and at times, even a complete cure.

PRAYER TO REQUEST THE PROTECTION OF ST. BENEDICT

Most Holy Confessor of the Lord; Father and head of the monks, intercede with your sanctity for our health of soul, body and mind.

Liberate from our life, our house, the malfeasances of the malignant spirit. Free us from unfortunate heresies, foul gossip and witchcraft.

Ask the Lord to remedy our spiritual and corporal necessities. Also ask for the progress of the holy Catholic church; and because my soul does not die in mortal sin, so that thus trusted in Your powerful intercession, can someday in heaven, sing eternal praises. Amen.

Jesus, Maria and Jose I love you, save lives, nations and souls.

Pray three Our Fathers, Hail Maries, and Glory be.

BRIEF NOVENA TO REQUEST A GRACE

Pray during nine days consecutive the following prayer:

Oh St. Benedict, my kind protector and of those that go to you during their hardships. Intercede on my behalf to God so that my sorrows and pains that now burden me are alleviated.

(request desired grace here)

I request it with full confidence.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be.

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