The beloved St. Benedict medal is crafted from the spiritual legacy of St. Benedict of Nursia (d. 547), the founder of the Benedictine Order and the father of Western monasticism.
St. Benedict’s life was marked by intense spiritual struggle. Ancient accounts describe repeated encounters with the Devil and the saint’s steadfast triumph over temptation through prayer, humility, and the Cross of Christ. This is the origin of the spiritual strength associated with the medal that bears his name.
The medal is not only beautiful in design. It is also one of the Church’s most cherished sacramentals for spiritual protection. Because St. Benedict is invoked as a patron against diabolical influence, temptation, poison, and disease, the faithful have long worn or kept this medal as a prayer for God’s safeguarding grace. It is also associated with petitions for perseverance in purity, strength in faith, protection in danger, and the grace of a holy death.
The letters engraved on the medal stand for Latin prayers of exorcism and firm rejection of evil. The medal even has a special blessing rite in the Roman Ritual, emphasizing its serious spiritual purpose. Although St. Benedict lived long ago, the devil's attacks have not ceased since his time. As the Bible tells us, the adversary is like a lion on the prowl...seeking ways to "devour".
That is strong language! This is why, if you trust in God and wear this medal, you can seek the intercession of St. Benedict, who fought against the devil and emerged victorious.
At the same time, Catholics should never treat the St. Benedict medal as a superstitious object. Sacramentals are sacred signs instituted by the Church to prepare us to receive grace and to sanctify the circumstances of daily life (CCC 1677). They do not work by magic. Their value comes through the prayers of the Church, the intercession of the saints, and a life lived in union with Christ.
The Benedictine monks of Subiaco Abbey explain that there is no single prescribed way to use the medal. It may be worn on a chain, carried in a pocket, placed in a home or car, or even set into the foundations of a building. Its purpose is simple: to call down God’s blessing and protection wherever we are.
By conscious and devout use, the medal becomes a silent prayer. It is a reminder that the Christian life is a real spiritual battle, and that Christ has already won the victory. As St. Benedict urges in the Prologue of his Rule, the faithful are called to walk in God’s ways with the Gospel as our guide, taking up the Cross daily and following the true King, Christ our Lord.
For a deeper look at this extraordinary sacramental, The Cross and Medal of Saint Benedict: A Mystical Sign of Divine Power is a beautiful resource that explores its history, symbolism, and spiritual meaning. Discover yours at The Catholic Company today!
