The Inscriptions on St. Benedict Medals
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).
St. Benedict Medals are used in many ways and are
often placed in fields, the foundations of buildings, placed in
cars, even wax impressions of the medals in window sills, everywhere
as a means to call down God's blessing and the protection of St.
Benedict. The St. Benedict medal is one of the Sacramentals of
the Church which means that its power first flows through the
merits of Christ Crucified, and then to the prayers of St. Benedict,
the blessing of the Church, and crucially to the faith and state
of grace of the person using the Medal.
The Medal of St. Benedict is used for many reasons:
1. It wards off from both the soul and the body
all dangers arising from the devil.
2. The Medal is powerful in obtaining for sinners
the grace of conversion.
3. Protection and aid for persons tormented by the
evil spirit, and in temptations against purity.
4. It procures assistance in the hour of death.
5. It has often been used as a remedy for bodily
ills, and protection against contagious diseases.
6. Expectant mothers have obtained special assistance
for a safe delivery.
7. In time of storms, tempests and other dangers
on land and sea it has been found to be a protection.
8. Even domestic animals have been visibly aided
by it when infected with disease
Like all sacramentals, be always aware that they are not good luck
charms and should never be used or thought of in such a manner.
They are a means to strengthen faith ad Trust in Jesus Christ and
His Church. |
