Saint Benedict

Many believers invoke St Benedict for protection of their homes and families

At very turning of history God raises great saints in order to strengthen the supernatural hold over souls exercised by the Church in virtue of her divine mission. The Roman Empire had crumbled down and the Barbarian has invaded whole Europe. Then appeared Benedict as chief of the monks of the West.

On the face of the medal is the image of St. Benedict. In his right hand he holds the cross, the Christian symbol of salvation. In St. Benedict’s left hand is his rule for monasteries that could well be summed up in the words of the prologue exhorting us to “set out on this [God’s] way, with the Gospel for our guide.” On a pedestal to the right of St. Benedict is the poisoned cup, shattered when he made the sign of the cross over it. On a pedestal to the left is a raven about to carry away the loaf of poisoned bread that a jealous enemy sent to St. Benedict.

When a person carries the Saint Benedict Medal or the Saint Benedict Crucifix, it is a constant reminder to that person to think of Christ always, in effect, a continuous exorcism. Even at the mere mention of the name of Jesus Christ, the devil shrinks away. Consider the faith and love of the Lord Saint Benedict called upon throughout his life.

During his life, St. Benedict was known to work many miracles using the power of the Holy Cross. Among these included his heroic flight from temptations and miraculous escapes from traps set to kill him.

Saint Benedict became known for his power over the Devil, with the Holy Cross as his efficacious instrument to make the Devil flee. The St. Benedict medal is based on this tradition.

Most people, Catholics included, don't realize how indebted the Church, Europe and the world are to St. Benedict of Nursia. The very presence of his monks in their monasteries became a stabilizing, civilizing factor no matter where they planted themselves. It was from these centers of great learning and prayer that monks and nuns went about their zealous work of evangelizing.

It was devotion to the Cross, the sign of our redemption, that gave rise to the Medal of St. Benedict, for devotion to this medal is, above all, devotion to the sign of our salvation. It is the only medal in the Church that is blessed with a special exorcism.

Thus it is well known for its power against the evil spirit, temptations, and its efficacy in healing mental and bodily sufferings.

Countless conversions have been wrought through the use of this medal. It has been devoutly used for centuries - in war, pestilence, natural disasters, and accidents of all kinds. Catholics wear it around the neck, attach it to their scapular or rosary, and often place it in the foundations of their buildings or above the doors in their house.

St. Benedict had a deep faith in the Cross and worked miracles with the sign of the cross. This faith in, and special devotion to, the Cross was passed on to succeeding generations of Benedictines.

Benedict medals are used in many ways, but always as a protection against evil. Some people bury them in the foundations of new buildings to keep them free from evil influences, while others hang them on the wall or door of their homes.