Saint Benedict Medal: Meaning, Symbols, History & Uses
The Saint Benedict Medal is one of the most recognizable sacramentals in the Catholic Church. At first glance, however, it can be difficult to understand. Its two sides are crowded with a saint, a cross, a raven, a cup, mysterious letters, and Latin inscriptions.
Each element has meaning.
The medal is rooted above all in faith in Jesus Christ and the power of His Cross. Its prayers ask God for help in resisting evil and temptation, invoke the intercession of St. Benedict, and call the Christian back to a life ordered toward Christ.
It is important to begin with one distinction: the Saint Benedict Medal is not a charm or talisman. Catholics do not believe that the metal itself possesses magical power. Like other sacramentals, it is meant to lead the person using it toward prayer, faith, and greater reliance on God.
THE MEDAL AT A GLANCE
What Is the Saint Benedict Medal?
The Saint Benedict Medal is a Catholic sacramental associated with St. Benedict of Nursia and devotion to the Cross of Christ. One side depicts St. Benedict and symbols from traditional accounts of his life. The other contains a Cross and the initials of Latin prayers asking that the Cross guide us and that evil be rejected.
The medal may be worn, carried, attached to a Rosary, or kept in a home or car. There is no prescribed way it must be used. Its purpose is devotional: to remind us of Christ, encourage prayer, and seek God's blessing through the intercession of St. Benedict.
THE SAINT BEHIND THE MEDAL
Who Was St. Benedict?
St. Benedict of Nursia lived around the turn of the sixth century and became one of the most influential figures in Western Christianity.
After withdrawing from the distractions of worldly life to seek God in prayer, Benedict eventually gathered communities of monks around him. His Rule of St. Benedict offered a wise and balanced pattern for monastic life centered on prayer, work, obedience, humility, and life in community.
The influence of Benedict and the monasteries that followed his Rule spread far beyond monastery walls. Pope Benedict XVI described St. Benedict's life and work as having a fundamental influence on the development of European civilization and culture. In 1964, Pope St. Paul VI declared him a Patron of Europe.
Our principal early account of St. Benedict's life comes from the Dialogues of Pope St. Gregory the Great, written only a few decades after Benedict's death.
And one symbol appears repeatedly in those accounts: the Cross.
Benedict had a profound devotion to Christ and frequently made the Sign of the Cross in moments of trial. That association between St. Benedict and the Cross eventually became central to the medal that bears his name.
READING THE FRONT
What Does the Front of the Saint Benedict Medal Mean?
The familiar Jubilee Medal places an image of St. Benedict at its center. Each surrounding symbol points toward some aspect of his life and spirituality.
The Cross
In his right hand, Benedict holds a Cross. This is arguably the most important symbol on the entire medal. The devotion is not ultimately centered on Benedict himself, but on Jesus Christ and His victory through the Cross.
The Rule
In his left hand, Benedict holds the Rule for Monasteries, a practical school of Christian discipleship built around seeking God, listening to Him, practicing humility, and living charitably with others.
The Poisoned Cup
St. Gregory the Great recounts a traditional episode in which men attempted to poison Benedict's drink. Benedict made the Sign of the Cross over the cup, and it shattered.
The Raven
Another traditional account recorded by St. Gregory tells of poisoned bread sent to Benedict by an enemy. Benedict instructed a raven he regularly fed to carry the dangerous loaf away.
AROUND ST. BENEDICT
Eius in obitu nostro praesentia muniamur
The prayer asks that we may be strengthened by St. Benedict's presence at the hour of our death. Benedictines have traditionally invoked St. Benedict as a patron for a holy death.
DECODING THE BACK
What Do the Letters on the Saint Benedict Medal Mean?
The reverse can appear almost like a code. The letters are actually initials for Latin prayers centered on the Cross and the rejection of evil.
Crux Sancti Patris Benedicti
The Cross of our Holy Father Benedict
Crux Sacra Sit Mihi Lux
May the Holy Cross be my light.
Non Draco Sit Mihi Dux
May the dragon not be my guide.
May the Cross of Christ be my light,
and may evil never become my guide.
Vade Retro Satana, Nunquam Suade Mihi Vana
A rejection of Satan and his empty promises.
Sunt Mala Quae Libas, Ipse Venena Bibas
The words reject what evil offers and refuse its poison.
Peace
The back of the medal contains strong words rejecting evil, but its destination is not fear. It is peace.
The initials form a Latin prayer rejecting Satan and evil. This should not be confused with the Church's solemn rite of exorcism, which is something entirely different and is reserved to a priest specifically authorized by his bishop.
A DEVOTION THAT DEVELOPED OVER TIME
Where Did the Saint Benedict Medal Come From?
There is no known date for the first Saint Benedict Medal. Its familiar form developed gradually from Benedictine devotion to St. Benedict, his association with the Cross, later prayers, and centuries of Catholic devotional practice.
A Medieval Manuscript
A manuscript later found at the Abbey of Metten contained the prayer that helped explain the mysterious initials associated with the Cross of St. Benedict.
The Letters Are Explained
Monks at Metten in Bavaria discovered the manuscript, helping recover the meaning of letters whose significance had been forgotten.
The Jubilee Medal
The monks of Montecassino commissioned the familiar Jubilee Medal for the celebration of what was then observed as the 1,400th anniversary of St. Benedict's birth. Its design came from Beuron.
The medal was not handed down intact from St. Benedict himself. Its Christian meaning does not depend upon inventing a more dramatic origin story than the historical evidence supports.
CATHOLIC SACRAMENTALS
Is the Saint Benedict Medal a Sacramental?
Yes. And understanding the word sacramental is essential to understanding the medal correctly.
The Catechism describes sacramentals as sacred signs instituted by the Church that prepare us to receive grace and help sanctify the circumstances of Christian life.
Sacramentals are different from the seven sacraments. They do not confer grace in the same way the sacraments do. Rather, through the prayer of the Church, they dispose us to receive God's grace and cooperate with it.
A sacramental is not a charm.
We do not place our trust in the medal. We place our trust in God. The medal helps turn our hearts and minds toward Him.
A CAREFUL CATHOLIC ANSWER
What Does the Saint Benedict Medal Protect You From?
This question is commonly asked, and it deserves a careful answer.
Catholic tradition has long associated the Saint Benedict Medal with prayers for protection from evil, temptation, and spiritual danger. But Catholics do not believe that the object itself creates an invisible protective force around the person wearing it.
Instead, the medal contains and represents prayers for God's protection, for strength against temptation, for rejection of evil, for the peace of Christ, and for the intercession of St. Benedict.
The Christian does not trust the medal instead of God.
The medal reminds the Christian to trust God.
BLESSING THE MEDAL
Does a Saint Benedict Medal Need to Be Blessed?
You may own or wear a Saint Benedict Medal that has not yet been blessed. There is no rule requiring a medal to be blessed before you are permitted to wear it.
But when a medal is going to be used devotionally as a sacramental, having it blessed is a beautiful and fitting practice.
And you do not need to find a Benedictine monk to do it. A Saint Benedict Medal may legitimately be blessed by any Catholic priest or deacon.
The traditional blessing asks God, through the intercession of St. Benedict, to bless those who use the medal devoutly and help them resist temptation, grow in holiness, and practice charity and justice.
NOTICE THE EMPHASIS
Not on possessing an object.
On living a holy life.
DEVOTIONAL USE
How Do Catholics Use the Saint Benedict Medal?
There is no single prescribed way to use it. Catholics commonly wear the medal on a necklace or bracelet, attach one to a Rosary, keep one in a pocket or purse, place one in a car, incorporate one into a crucifix, or keep one in the home as a reminder of prayer and God's presence.
Benedictine tradition has even included placing medals within homes, buildings, and places of work.
What matters more than location is intent. A medal hanging unnoticed from a rearview mirror is not spiritually superior to one carried quietly in a pocket. The purpose is to help direct the person using it toward Christ.
Let the Cross be my light.
Reject what leads me away from God.
Seek peace.
Follow Christ.
THE LARGER CHRISTIAN VISION
More Than a Prayer Against Evil
Because the Saint Benedict Medal contains such striking language about Satan and poison, it is easy to focus almost exclusively on spiritual warfare.
But that can obscure something beautiful about the medal.
the Cross of Christ over evil,
the Gospel over temptation,
peace over fear,
and faithful discipleship over superstition.
St. Benedict's spirituality was not preoccupied with darkness. His Rule is deeply practical. Pray. Work. Listen. Practice humility. Welcome others. Live peacefully in community. Seek God.
The medal makes the most sense when understood within that larger Christian vision.
SAINT BENEDICT DEVOTION IN THE HOME
Sacramentals in Ordinary Life
A crucifix above a doorway. A medal carried in a pocket. A Rosary beside the bed. These objects cannot pray or believe for us, but they can interrupt forgetfulness and remind us toward Whom our lives are meant to be directed.
For the Home
Our St. Benedict Home Blessing Door Hanger incorporates this ancient Catholic symbol into a simple piece designed for the home.
Explore the Home Blessing → 02Centered on the Cross
The Petite St. Benedict Crucifix brings together the image of the Crucified Christ and the familiar Saint Benedict Medal.
View the Crucifix →COMMON QUESTIONS
Saint Benedict Medal FAQ
What does Vade Retro Satana mean?
Vade retro Satana means essentially “Begone, Satan” or “Step back, Satan.” It begins the Latin prayer represented by the initials around the reverse of the Saint Benedict Medal.
Does the Saint Benedict Medal protect you from evil?
Catholics use the medal while asking God for protection from evil and temptation through the intercession of St. Benedict. The medal does not possess independent or magical power.
Does the Saint Benedict Medal have to be blessed?
No blessing is required simply to own or wear the medal. However, having it blessed is appropriate when it will be used as a Catholic sacramental.
Who can bless a Saint Benedict Medal?
A Catholic priest or deacon may bless the medal. He does not have to be a Benedictine.
Can you put a Saint Benedict Medal on a Rosary?
Yes. Attaching the medal to a Rosary is one of the traditional ways Catholics use it devotionally.
Which side of the Saint Benedict Medal should face outward?
There is no prescribed side that must face outward. Both sides contain important Christian symbolism and prayers.
Is the Saint Benedict Medal an exorcism medal?
The reverse includes the initials of a Latin prayer rejecting Satan and evil, so it is often described as containing a prayer of exorcism. That does not mean wearing the medal is equivalent to the Church's solemn rite of exorcism.
A saint. A Rule. A raven. A broken cup. A Cross. A prayer rejecting evil. And finally: Peace.
The meaning of the Saint Benedict Medal is not that a Catholic can wear a medal and no longer struggle with temptation, suffering, or fear.
Its invitation is something more demanding and more hopeful:
Look again to Christ. Let His Cross be your light. Reject what leads you away from Him. And continue walking toward God.
SOURCES & FURTHER READING
Benedictine Confederation: The Medal of Saint Benedict
Catechism of the Catholic Church: Sacramentals
Pope Benedict XVI: General Audience on St. Benedict of Nursia
I was still not able to explain the benefits of having St Benedict’s medal, but after reading the above explanation I am very clear now. Thank you for the explanation and may St Benedict pray for us!
God have bless me with cssml ndsmd I don’t buy with my money but God Almighty give it to me free
I’m a 3rd order Franciscan but when I was being harassed & persecuted by some of my co-workers and a couple of managers I began wearing this medal and I hung it on my office door as well. It gave the endurance and strength I needed to withstand the intensity of what was happening. I was being harassed so that I would quit. But St. Benedict sustained me until the 2 worst of my persecutors retired and the other was fired. I remained in my position for a year after that until I needed an urgent hip replacement and I retired on a disability. Not much was said to me afterwards until I returned to the clinic with my husband for him to see his medical Provider, the physician I worked with . He apologised for not stepping in sooner and several of the nurses made sure to hug me and tell me I was greatly missed. All praise glory and honor are Yours Lord Jesus Christ King of Endless Glory.
To all those who are enquiring whether you have to be a Catholic to wear the St. Benedict Medal, the answer is no, you don’t. Anyone can wear the medal. You must first have it blessed by a priest who must also pray the special exorcism prayer over it. This is what makes it so powerful.
This is the exorcism prayer:
V. Our help is in the name of the Lord.
R. Who made heaven and earth.
In the name of God the Father + almighty, who made heaven and earth, the seas and all that is in them, I exorcise these medals against the power and attacks of the evil one. May all who use these medals devoutly be blessed with health of soul and body. In the name of the Father + almighty, of the Son + Jesus Christ our Lord, and of the Holy + Spirit the Paraclete, and in the love of the same Lord Jesus Christ who will come on the last day to judge the living and the dead, and the world by fire. Amen.
Let us pray. Almighty God, the boundless source of all good things, we humbly ask that, through the intercession of Saint Benedict, you pour out your blessings + upon these medals. May those who use them devoutly and earnestly strive to perform good works be blessed by you with health of soul and body, the grace of a holy life, and remission of the temporal punishment due to sin. May they also with the help of your merciful love, resist the temptation of the evil one and strive to exercise true charity and justice toward all, so that one day they may appear sinless and holy in your sight. This we ask though Christ our Lord. Amen.
The medals are then sprinkled with holy water.
The St Benedict medal is so popular because it’s an active way to add an extra layer of spiritual protection from temptation, poisoning, and evil. But what are some of the other reasons the faithful use this medal?
1 Conversion – Bring those who have fallen back into the House of God and provide a path to salvation.
2 Disease – Protection against disease, particularly contagious ones. Fight off pestilence and ward off the coming of death.
3 Assistance – Also known as “The Cross of Happy Death,” this medal asks for St. Benedict’s guidance as we embark upon the final journey to paradise.
4 Safe Delivery – A little-known meaning of this medal also pertains to the safe delivery of new lives into this world. As St. Benedict guides us on our final journey, he also guides us on our first.
To those asking if they can wear the medal not being members of the church of Christ. Why not join it? It is obviously the right church to be a member of since all the Saint are members of that body. What other church can offer what the lords church offers? NONE!
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