Saint Benedict Medal
The Saint Benedict Medal is a Christian sacramental medal containing symbols and text related to the life of Saint Benedict of Nursia, used by Roman Catholics, as well as Anglicans, Lutherans, and the Western Orthodox, in the Benedictine Christian tradition, especially votarists and oblates.
This religious object is also a Christian symbol of opening doors and opening difficult paths. Tradition holds that it protects from curses, evil and envy; drives away bad energies; attracts good energies; protects against diseases and protects good health.
The reverse side of the medal carries the Vade retro satana ("Begone, Satan!")[2] Sometimes carried as part of a rosary, it is also worn separately.
History
The exorcism prayer is found in an early thirteenth century legend of the Devil's Bridge at Sens, wherein an architect sold his soul to the devil and then subsequently repented. M. le Curé of Sens, wearing his stole, exorcised the devil, driving him away with holy water and the words, which he made the penitent repeat.
Medals bearing the image of St. Benedict, a cross moline, and these letters began to be struck in Germany, and soon spread over Europe. The medals were first approved by Benedict XIV on 23 December, 1741, and again on 12 March, 1742. The medal in its traditional design was in use for many decades and is still in use today.
The medal’s symbolism
On the front of the medal is Saint Benedict holding a cross in his right hand, the Christian symbol of salvation, and in the left his rule for monasteries. To Benedict's right, below the cross, is a poisoned cup, a reference to the legend that hostile monks attempted to poison him, and the cup containing poisoned wine shattered when the saint made the sign of the cross over it. To his left, below the rule, the raven that carried off a loaf of poisoned bread. From this is derived the tradition that the medal protects against poisoning.
Above the cup and raven are the words Crux sancti patris Benedicti ("The Cross of [our] Holy Father Benedict"). Surrounding the figure of Saint Benedict are the words Eius in obitu nostro praesentia muniamur! ("May we be strengthened by his presence in the hour of our death"), since Benedictines regarded him as a particular patron of a happy death.[10]Below the icon of St. Benedict, it is written 'EX SM Casino, MDCCCLXXX' and it means 'Found out from the Casino mountain in 1880.'
On the back is a cross, containing the letters C S S M L - N D S M D, initials of the words Crux sacra sit mihi lux! Numquam draco sit mihi dux! ("May the holy cross be my light! May the dragon never be my overlord!").[4] The large C S P B stand for Crux Sancti Patris Benedicti ("The Cross of [our] Holy Father Benedict"). Surrounding the back of the medal are the letters V R S N S M V - S M Q L I V B, in reference to Vade retro satana: Vade retro Satana! Numquam suade mihi vana! Sunt mala quae libas. Ipse venena bibas! ("Begone Satan! Never tempt me with your vanities! What you offer me is evil. Drink the poison yourself!") and finally, located at the top is the word PAX which means "peace".
Use of the medal
The use of any religious article is intended as a means of reminding one of God and of inspiring a willingness and desire to serve God and neighbour.[12] The medal represents a prayer on the part of the user to invoke God’s blessing and protection through the intercession of St. Benedict. There are no special rules prescribed for its use. It may be worn on a chain around the neck, carried on one's person, placed in one’s vehicle, home, or in one’s place of business. It is sometimes incorporated into a crucifix to create a "St. Benedict's Cross".
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