The meaning of the Cross and Medal of Saint Benedict

Here you will be able to know the powerful meaning of the Cross and Medal of St. Benedict that can help us against any evil influence or any disturbance that may be lurking around us so that we fall into temptation. This is a powerful sacramental that we can wear with faith and devotion.

Through this information, you will be able to know in depth the Cross and the Medal of Saint Benedict, and you will know that this is one of the powerful sacramentals recognized by the Catholic Church with great power of exorcism and liberation from demonic influences and all evil

Like every sacramental, its power is there, not because it is a beautiful and blessed medal and contains a prayer inscribed on it; let us not fall into that superstition!

The Cross and the Medal of St. Benedict.

The power of the Cross and the Medal of St. Benedict lies in Christ himself, who gives the Church and by the fervent disposition of those who wear it, Acts through Faith!

Do you remember the hemorrhoid woman who thought that just by touching Jesus´ mantle she would be healed? And what about the people who were healed and exorcised through cloths or canvases that had been in contact with St. Paul?

"And God worked extraordinary miracles by the hand of Paul, so that even the cloths or aprons of his body were taken away from the sick, and the diseases left them, and the evil spirits went out" (Acts 19:12)

Let us remember the power that Christ left over his apostles:

"Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." (Matthew 18:18)

This is a power that Christ conferred upon his Church so that everything that is decreed in favor of the rescue of souls, may be recognized by Christ as a good Work.

Analyzing St. Benedict´s medal.

Did you ever look at this medal and wonder what all those inscriptions or hieroglyphics meant? Okay, let´s get started: The front and back are covered with letters that don´t seem to make any sense.

Actually the full meaning of the St. Benedict´s medal was a mystery for many years, until an important discovery was made in 1647 in the Metten Abbey in Bavaria. They found a manuscript from the year 1415, which explains the symbolism inscribed on the medal.

Meaning of the Cross and St. Benedict´s medal.

1. Front part of the medal.

St. Benedict is shown in the center of the medal. In his right hand he holds a cross. The cross represents the saving power of Christ and the work of evangelization by the Benedictines throughout the centuries. In his left hand is a book containing the Holy Rule of his order.

In his right hand is a broken cup. This cup was said to have been poisoned by some rebellious monks who did not like St. Benedict. The cup was broken when St. Benedict made a sign of the cross on it and saved his life.

On his left is a raven. The raven carries a loaf of poisoned bread that the monks tried to give to St. Benedict.

Above the head are the words: Crux Sancti Patris Benedicti (Cross of the Holy Father Benedict). Around the edge are the words: Ejus en obitu nostro praesentia muniamus. (May we be strengthened by his presence in our death).

Below his feet are the letters: EX SM CASINO MDCCCLXX (From Santo Monte Cassino, 1880).

2. Back of the medal.

The back of the medal is dominated by a large cross.

On each of the four sides of the cross:

C. S. P. B. (Crux Sancti Patris Benedicti): "Cross of the Holy Father Benedict"

In the vertical line of the cross:

C. S. S. M. L. (Crux Sácra Sit Mihi Lux): "May the Holy Cross be my light"

In the horizontal line of the cross:

N. D. S. M. D. (Non Dráco Sit Mihi Dux): "Let the devil not be my guide"

Starting at the top, clockwise, and around the edge, the initials of the prayer of exorcism appear:

V. R. S. (Vade Retro Satan): "Get away Satan"
N. S. M. V. (Non Suáde Mihi Vána): "Don´t suggest vanities"
S. M. Q. L. (Sunt Mála Quae Libas): "Bad things are what you offer."
I. V. B. (Ípse Venéna Bíbas): "Drink your own poison."
PAX: Peace

It is then recited as follows:

"May the Holy Cross be my light and may the Devil not be my guide. Withdraw, Satan. Do not suggest vanities to me. Bad things are what you offer. Drink your own poison. Peace."

Indulgences and blessings of the Medal of St. Benedict.

The Medal of St. Benedict itself, as explained above, has no power whatsoever. Wearers must be careful not to fall into acts of superstition.

The Medal of St. Benedict is simply a visible sign of the inner devotion and belief that the faithful have Jesus and his servant, St. Benedict, and act through faith! And when used well it is a powerful weapon of protection against the devil.

The medal includes an unconditional indulgence to any person at the moment of death who "wears, kisses or holds the Medal in his hands with veneration". It is also granted if the person commits his soul to God, makes a good confession or receives Holy Communion.

If the person cannot do this, he can invoke the Holy Name of Jesus with his lips with a deep sense of contrition, or with his heart if the person cannot speak.

Plenary Indulgences of the Medal.

If the person goes to confession, receives the Eucharist, prays for the Holy Father on the great feasts and during that week prays the holy rosary, visits the sick, helps the poor, teaches the faith to children or participates in the Holy Mass, he can receive this indulgence.

The great feasts are: Christmas, Epiphany, Easter, Ascension, Pentecost, the Holy Trinity, Corpus Christi, the Assumption, the Immaculate Conception, the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, All Saints and St. Benedict

Just because some people did not know about this Sacramental of the Cross and the Medal of St. Benedict, and furthermore do not practice its devotion, does not mean that it does not have Power, we again remember that the Power was entrusted to it by Christ himself through his command in (Matthew 18:18)

Prayer to St. Benedict´s Cross in Latin.

Now, if you feel somewhat disturbed and have been doing so for days, invoke the Holy Spirit and then listen to the following prayer in Latin to the Cross of St. Benedict. Repeat it as many times as necessary during the day. This is a powerful way to drive away any form of evil that wants to disturb your mind and heart and keep you from God´s peace.

God bless you. May the cross and the medal of St. Benedict protect you from all evil.

More resources about St. Benedict.