The St.

Benedict Medal - Crucifix

The origin of the medal of St. Benedict is very ancient.
It was certainly suggested by the efficacious use that the patriarch made of the sign of the cross against the
assaults of the Demon narrated by St. Gregorio.
Benedict XIV established the design of this medal. On one side it carries the image of St. Benedict holding a
cross in his hand; on the other side there is a larger cross with Latin initials. Due to the fact that the cross
represented here is an essential element of this medal, it is called the Medal - Crucifix of St. Benedict.
On the back there is the effigy of the Saint, holding the cross in his right hand and the Rules in his left hand; on
his right there is a cup from which a serpent is escaping (a recollection of the poisoned wine which he
miraculously escaped); on the left we have a crow taking away the poisoned bread.
Underneath we can read the words: EX S.M. CASINO MDCCCLXXXX (From the Holy Mount Cassino
1880). On the two sides CRUX SANCTI PATRIS BENEDICTI (Cross of Holy Father Benedict). Around the
image: EIUS IN OBITU NOSTRO PRAESENTIA MUNIAMUR (May we be strengthened by his prescence
in the hour of our death!).
On the front of the Medal, a Cross is represented which carries several inscription in the arms, the explanations
of which follow:

C.S.P.B.: CRUX SANCTI PATRIS BENEDICTI The cross of our Holy Father Benedict
C.S.S.M.L.: CRUX SACRA SIT MIHI LUX May the Holy Cross be my light!
N.D.S.M.D.: NUNQUAM DRACO SIT MIHI DUX! May the dragon never be my guide
V.R.S.: VADE RETRO SATANA Begone Satan!
N.S.M.V.: NUNQUAM SUADE MIHI VANA! - Never tempt me with your vanities!
S.M.Q.L.: SUNT MALA QUAE LIBAS What you offer me is evil.
I.V.B.: IPSE VENEA BIBAS Drink the poison yourself!
PAX is written under the Cross: the motto of the Congregation of Cassino and of the entire Benedictine
Order.
The three internal eulogistic rhyming couplets are part of a very ancient series dating back at least to the XIV
century which is accompanied by the figure of a monk with the cross driving away temptation.
They express well the confidence which the faithful had in the defence of St. Benedict against the spiritual and
material dangers the devil could procure.
Some scholars have affirmed that with the exception of the one of the Most Holy Virgin, there is no other more
widely diffuse Medal than that of St. Benedict. The numerous indulgences which the Holy See has enriched it
with, witness its singular prize and together contribute to making it the most dear and precious one to the
Christian people.
An unconditional indulgence is accorded at the time of death to all those who wear, kiss or hold the Medal
between the hands with veneration, on the following conditions: 1) they commend their souls to God 2) they
confess or receive Holy Communion or if this in not possible invoke the Holy Name of Jesus with feelings of
contrition, (or with the heart if one cannot speak).
A partial indulgence is accorded to all those who wear, kiss or hold the Medal between the hands with
veneration.

Other indulgences have been conceded in the past to the Medal of St. Benedict.
The Medal of St. Benedict is used for all spiritual and temporal needs on condition that it is used with a faithful
spirit.This medal is efficacious against epidemics, certain special illnesses and against the spells and
temptations of the devil.
It has been widely diffused throughout the entire world by missionaries. This medal also obtains the
conversions of sinners, above all on the point of death. The medal helps women in labour and gives Gods
protection against the dangers which threaten our lives: it permits a good and Holy death.
The medal of St. Benedict is very ancient. Its popularity was born in the XI century following the miraculous
healing of a youth, a certain Bruno, who then became a Benedictine monk and later Pope S. Leone IX.
Benedict is always invoked as the patron of the Good Death. One day he appeared to St. Gertrude, saying: all
those who remember me with the dignity which the Lord has honoured and blessed me with, allowing me to
have a glorious death, I will faithfully assist at the point of death and will oppose all of the attacks of the enemy
in that decisive hour.
The soul will be protected by my presence and will remain tranquil, in spite of all of the attacks of the enemy,
and happy will depart towards eternal joy.

Note: The medal-crucifix of St. Benedict must be BLESSED by a priest or by a deacon.

Benedict Medal
Crux Sancti Patris Benedicti
Crux Sancta Sit Mihi Lux
Non Draco Sit Mihi Dux
Vade Retro Satana
Numquam Suade Mihi Vana
Sunt Mala Quae Libas
Ipse Venena Bibas

A medal, originally a cross, dedicated to the devotion in honour of St. Benedict.

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).
The medal just described is the so-called jubilee medal, which was struck first in 1880, to
commemorate the fourteenth centenary of St. Benedict's birth. The Archabbey of Monte Cassino
has the exclusive right to strike this medal. The ordinary medal of St. Benedict usually differs
from the preceding in the omission of the words "Ejus in obitu etc.", and in a few minor details.
(For the indulgences connected with it see Beringer, "Die Ablsse", Paderborn, 1906, p. 404-6.)
The habitual wearer of the jubilee medal can gain all the indulgences connected with the
ordinary medal and, in addition: (1) all the indulgences that could be gained by visiting the
basilica, crypt, and tower of St. Benedict at Monte Cassino (Pius IX, 31 December, 1877); (2) a
plenary indulgence on the feast of All Souls (from about two o'clock in the afternoon of 1
November to sunset of 2 November), as often as (toties quoties), after confession and Holy
Communion, he visits any church or public oratory, praying there according to the intention of
the pope, provided that he is hindered from visiting a church or public oratory of the
Benedictines by sickness, monastic enclosure or a distance of at least 1000 steps. (Decr. 27
February, 1907, in Acta S. Sedis, LX, 246.) Any priest may receive the faculties to bless these
medals.
It is doubtful when the Medal of St. Benedict originated. During a trial for witchcraft at
Natternberg near the Abbey of Metten in Bavaria in the year 1647, the accused women testified
that they had no power over Metten, which was under the protection of the cross. Upon
investigation, a number of painted crosses, surrounded by the letters which are now found on
Benedictine medals, were found on the walls of the abbey, but their meaning had been forgotten.
Finally, in an old manuscript, written in 1415, was found a picture representing St. Benedict
holding in one hand a staff which ends in a cross, and a scroll in the other. On the staff and scroll
were written in full the words of which the mysterious letters were the initials. Medals bearing
the image of St. Benedict, a cross, and these letters began now to be struck in Germany, and soon
spread over Europe. They were first approved by Benedict XIV in his briefs of 23 December,
1741, and 12 March, 1742.

Latin Crux Sancti Patris Benedicti:

Crux Sacra Sit Mihi Lux
Non Draco Sit Mihi Dux
Vade retro, satana!
Nunquam Suade Mihi Vana
Sunt Mala Quae Libas
Ipse Venena Bibas
Portugis Cruz do Santo Pai Bento:
A Cruz Sagrada Seja a Minha Luz
No seja o drago o meu guia
Para trs, satans!
Nunca seduzas minha alma
So coisas ms que brindas
Bebas do mesmo veneno
Italia Croce del Santo Padre Benedetto:
La Santa Croce sia la mia luce
Non sia il demonio mio condottiero
Fatti indietro, Satana
Non mi attirare alle vanit,
Sono mali le tue bevande
Bevi tu stesso il tuo veleno.
Inggris Cross of the Holy Father Benedict:
The Holy Cross be my light
Let not the dragon be my guide
Begone, Satan,
do not suggest to me thy vanities
evil are the things thou profferest,
drink thou thy own poison.
Indonesia Salib Santo Bapa Benediktus:
Semoga Salib Suci menjadi terang bagiku
Semoga setan tidak menguasaiku
Pergilah Setan!
Jangan mencobaiku dengan perbuatan- perbuatan jahat
Apa yang kau berikan padaku adalah jahat
Minumlah sendiri racun- racunmu
Spanyol Cruz del Santo Padre Benito:
Que la Santa Cruz sea mi luz
Que el demonio no sea mi jefe
Aljate Satans
No me aconsejes cosas vanas

Es malo lo que me ofreces

Bebe t mismo tu veneno
Perancis Croix du Saint Pere Benoit:
Que la Sainte Croix soit ma lumiere.
Que le dragon ne soit pas mon guide.
Retire-toi, satan.
Ne me conseille jamais tes vanites.
Les breuvages que tu offres, cest le mal.
Bois toi-meme tes poisons.
Belanda Kruis van de heilige vader Benedictus:
Dat het heilig kruis mijn licht zij.
Dat de draak mij niet tot gids zij.
Ga weg, Satan.
Verleid mij nooit tot ijdel gedrag.
Wat je wil is vergif.
Drink zelf je gif.
Jerman Kreuz des heiligen Vaters Benedikt:
Das heilige Kreuz sei mein Licht
Nicht der Drache sei mir Fhrer
Weiche zurck Satan
Fhre mich niemals zur Eitelkeit
Bse ist, was du mir eintrufelst
Trinke selbst dein Gift
Vietnam Thp gi ca cha thnh Bin c:
Nguyn xin Thnh Gi l nh sng ca ti
ng con rng l ngi lnh o ti
Satan, hy lui i!
ng d d ta vi nhng la di
iu ngi cng hin th xu xa ti li
Hy ung ly s c hi ca ngi
Tagalog (Filipina) Ang Cross na Banal ng Amang San Benito:
Ang mahal na krus ang siya kong maging ilaw
Kailan may huwag kong maging patnugot ang demonio
Lumayo ka sa akin Satanas
Huwag mo akong tuksuhin sa kapalaluan
ang inihahandog mo sa akin ay masama
Ikaw rin ang uminom ng lason

Saint Benedict Medal

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The two sides of a Saint Benedict Medal

The Saint Benedict Medal is a Catholic sacramental medal containing symbols and text related
to the life of Saint Benedict of Nursia.[1][2]
The medal is one of the oldest and most honored medals used by Catholics and due to the belief
in its power against evil is also known as the "devil-chasing medal".[3] As early as the 11th
century, it may have initially had the form of Saint Benedict's cross, and was used by pope Leo
IX.[3]
The reverse side of the medal carries the Vade retro satana ("Step back, Satan") formula which
has been used by Catholics to ward off evil since the 15th century.[4] Sometimes carried as part of
the rosary, it is also found individually.
In widespread use after its formal approval by pope Benedict XIV in the 18th century, the medal
is used by Catholics to ward off spiritual and physical dangers, especially those related to evil,
poison, and temptation.[3][2]

Contents

1 History

2 The medals symbolism

3 Use of the medal

4 Blessing of the medal

5 See also

6 References

7 External links

History[edit]

A Jubilee medal by the monk Desiderius Lenz, of the Beuron Art School, made for the 1400th
anniversary of the birth of St. Benedict in 1880
The exact time and date of the making of the first Saint Benedict Medal are not clear, however, it
is likely that may have initially had the form of a cross.[3] Catholic tradition holds that as a young
Benedictine, the future Pope Leo IX attributed his recovery from a snake bite to that cross.[3]
After becoming pope in 1049, Leo IX enriched the St. Benedict cross to the form of a medal, and
gave it blessings and indulgences.[3]
Saint Vincent de Paul, who died in 1660, appears to have been acquainted with the Medal and the
Sisters of Charity founded by him have worn it attached to their rosary beads.[5]
The medal was formally approved by Pope Benedict XIV in 1741.[3] The Jubilee medal was
struck in 1880, in remembrance of the 1400th anniversary of St. Benedicts birth. The initials of
the Vade retro satana formula have been found on Saint Benedict Medals at least since 1780.[6]
The letters found on the back of the medal, had remained a mystery until they were related to a
manuscript dating back to 1415 was found at Metten Abbey in Bavaria in 1647. The manuscript
contains the first recorded use of the exorcism formula Vade retro satana ("Step back, Satan"),
and the letters were found to correspond to this phrase.[4][3]

The medals symbolism[edit]

Saint Benedict Medal, front.

On the front of the medal is Saint Benedict holding a cross in his right hand, the object of his
devotion, and in the left his rule for monasteries.[3] In the back is a poisoned cup, in reference to
the legend of Benedict, which explains that hostile monks attempted to poison him: the cup
containing poisoned wine shattered when the saint made the sign of the cross over it (and a raven
carried away a poisoned loaf of bread). Above the cup 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 he was always regarded by the Benedictines as the patron of a
happy death.[3][7]
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! Non draco sit mihi dux! ("May the holy cross be my light! May the dragon
never be my overlord!").[3] 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! Nunquam 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".[7][3]

Use of the medal[edit]

Saint Benedict Medal, back.

Lay Catholics are not permitted to perform exorcisms but they can use the Saint Benedict Medal,
holy water, the crucifix, and other sacramentals to ward off evil. The Saint Benedict Medal in the
middle of a Celtic Cross is believed to be a powerful tool against evil influences.[2][1]
This medal is used in numerous ways:

on a chain around the neck;

attached to one's rosary;

kept in one's pocket or purse;

placed in one's car or home;

placed in the foundation of a building;

placed in the center of a cross.

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 neighbor.[8] According to H. C. Lea (1896), "As a
rule...it suffices to wear [the medal] devoutly, but, if some special favor is desired, it is advisable
on a Tuesday to say five Glorias, three Aves and then three more Glorias to secure the protection
of St. Benedict."[9]
It is supposed to be effective in many ways:

to destroy witchcraft and all other diabolical and haunting influences;

to impart protection to persons tempted, deluded, or tormented by evil spirits;

to obtain the conversion of sinners into the Catholic Church, especially when they are in
danger of death;

to serve as an armor against temptation;

to destroy the effects of poison;

to secure a timely and healthy birth for children;

to afford protection against storms and lightning;

to serve as an efficacious remedy for bodily afflictions and a means of protection against
contagious diseases.

Blessing of the medal[edit]

Medals of Saint Benedict are sacramentals that may be blessed legitimately by any priest or
deacon, not necessarily a Benedictine.[10][1]
The following English form may be used:[11]

A Catholic Rosary with a St. Benedict medal placed in the center of the cross

V: Our help is in the name of the Lord.

R: Who made heaven and earth.

V: In the name of God the Father + almighty, who made heaven and ear
R: Amen.

V: Let us pray. Almighty God, the boundless source of all good things, w

May they also with the help of your merciful love, resist the temptation

R: Amen.

The medal is then sprinkled with holy water.