MEANING OF THE ST. BENEDICT JUBILEE MEDAL

Have you ever looked at a St. Benedict medal and wondered what it all means? The front and back are covered with letters that don't seem to make any sense. You probably made out the name "Benedict", but the rest of the words were in Latin. The complete meaning of this medal was shrouded in mystery for many years, until an important discovery was made in 1647 at the Abbey of Metten in Bavaria. They found a manuscript from the year 1415 which explained the initials found on the medal. The mystery was finally unraveled!

The Front Side - St. Benedict is shown at 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 over the centuries. In his left hand is a book containing the Holy Rule of his order. To his right is a broken cup. This cup was said to be poisoned by monks who did not like it when he became Abbot of their monastery. The cup was shattered when St. Benedict made a sign of the cross over it, and his life was saved. To his left is a raven. The raven carried away a poisoned loaf of bread the monks tried to give St. Benedict.

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

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

This medal was created in Monte Cassino, Italy, in 1880 to celebrate the 1400th anniversary of Saint Benedict's birth. The occasion of this celebration is why the medal is called the "Jubilee" medal.

The Reverse Side - The back of the medal is dominated by a large cross. The letters on the cross are actually the initials for the Latin phrases: Crux Sacra Sit Mihi Lux (The Holy Cross be my light) and Non Draco Sit Mihi Dux (Let not the dragon be my guide).

In the four corners are circles with the letters CSPB. These letters are the initials for Crux Sancti Patris Benedicti (The Cross of our holy father Benedict).

At the top is the word Pax (peace). Around the edge are the initials for the exorcism prayer: 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).

HISTORY OF THE MEDAL

It is unclear when the first medal was made to honor St. Benedict, however some documents trace its existence to the 1600's. Early forms of the medal included an image of St. Benedict holding a cross and an image representing the Rule of St. Benedict on the back. The initials of the exorcism prayer were also widely used. The medal was approved for general use by the faithful by Pope Benedict XIV in 1741.

The year 1880 marked the celebration of St. Benedict's 1400th birthday. To commemorate this momentous anniversary, the Benedictine monks of Monte Cassino, Italy were given permission to make a new medal to honor St. Benedict. The prior of Monte Cassino at the time was actually an American! The Very Rev. Boniface Krug OSB (1838-1909) was originally a monk of St. Vincent Archabbey in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. He was chosen to go to Italy, where he became prior and latter archabbot of Monte Cassino. The new St. Benedict medal was called "The Jubilee Medal" and the pope gave the medal special Jubilee indulgences. The medal was designed in Germany at St. Martin's Archabbey, Beuron, Germany.

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JUBILEE INDULGENCES & SPECIAL BLESSINGS

The Jubilee Medal itself has no power at all. Wearers must be careful not to fall into acts of superstition. The Jubilee Medal is simply a visible sign of the inner devotion and belief the wearer has to Jesus and his servant, St. Benedict. We ask for God's blessing and protection through the intercession of St. Benedict.

According to the writings of St. Gregory, St. Benedict died while at prayer on March 21, 547. It is because St. Benedict died in such a peaceful and prepared way that he is known as the patron of a happy death.

The Jubilee medal includes an unconditional indulgence to anyone at the time of death who will "wear, kiss or hold the Medal between the hands with veneration". The indulgence is given if the person commends his or her soul to God and makes a good confession or receive Holy Communion. If the person cannot do this, he or she can "invoke the Holy Name of Jesus with feelings of contrition, (or with the heart if one cannot speak)".

In addition to the unconditional indulgence, a partial indulgence is given to anyone who will "wear, kiss or hold the Medal between the hands with veneration". Over the years, many miracles have been reported by those wearing the medal. The medal has also been attributed to great blessings. Some of those blessings include:

1. Warding off temptation
2. Obtaining the conversion of sinners, especially before death
3. Easing of pain for women during labor
4. Help in preserving purity
5. Granting the grace of a happy death
6. Protection during storms
7. Interceding for curing disease

THE LIFE OF ST. BENEDICT

St. Benedict was born to a noble family in the Italian city of Nursia in the year 480. His twin sister is St. Scholastica. Very early in life St. Benedict left the noble life and moved to a community of religious men. He stayed with them for a few years before living alone as a hermit for 3 years.

His quiet life of prayer ended when he was asked to become abbot of a nearby monastery. Unfortunately, the men there did not agree with St. Benedict on how to run the monastery. In the end, they tried to poison St. Benedict, but he was saved by two miracles (as shown on the front of the Jubilee Medal). After his brush with death he returned to his life as a hermit.

St. Benedict's reputation for wisdom, holiness and miracles spread. People began coming to him for guidance and to follow in his prayerful way of life. As a result, he founded twelve monastic communities. St. Benedict himself did not stay with these new communities. Instead, in 529 he moved to the mountains in southern Italy. The new monastery was near Cassino, Italy so it was called Monte Cassino. He spent the rest of his life at Monte Cassino. It was here that he formed his ideas for how to live in community and wrote his famous "Rule". St. Benedict's work has earned him the title "Father of Western Monasticism".

St. Benedict died a happy death in the year 547. He is recognized as the patron saint of many causes including: