Posted on 07/10/2008 8:29:55 PM PDT by Salvation
The medal of St. Benedict is a very powerful sacramental with exorcizing properties; the exorcism is written right on it. First a little history: St. Benedict of Nursia, Italy (A.D. 480-543), the twin brother of St. Scholastica, is considered to be the Father of Western monasticism, and his "Rule of St. Benedict" came to be the basis of organization for many religious orders (his own Order has its cradle at Monte Cassino, Italy, about 80 miles South of Rome). At any rate, in order to understand the symbology of the Medal, you must know of this event in St. Benedict's life: he'd been living as a hermit in a cave for three years, famous for his holiness, when a religious community came to him after the death of their abbot and asked Benedict to take over. Some of the "monks" didn't like this plan and attempted to kill him with poisoned bread and wine. Just as St. John the Divine was miraculously saved from being poisoned, when St. Benedict made the sign of the Cross over these things, he came to know they were poisoned, so he toppled the cup and commanded a raven to carry off the bread. Now on to the Medal: From the Catholic Encyclopedia: 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. The Jubilee Medal below was first struck in 1880 to commemorate the 14th centennary of St. Benedict's birth. The Front of the Medal
Back of the Medal In the arms of the Cross are the initials C S S M L - N D S M D, which stand for the rhyme: Crux sacra sit mihi lux! In the corners of the Cross are C S P D, which stand for the same words found on the front over the pedestals: Crux s. patris Benedicti (The Cross of our Holy Father Benedict). Vade retro Satana! Wearing the MedalFirst, note that the above information pertains to the Jubilee Medal of St. Benedict. There are, though, other St. Benedict Medals that are almost exactly like the above, but lack "Eius in obitu nostro praesentia muniamur (May we at our death be fortified by his presence.)" and "ex SM Casino MDCCCLXXX" (from holy Monte Cassino, 1880). Either type, though, is indulgenced, and they are used the same way. Six days before he left this world he gave orders to have his sepulchre opened, and forthwith falling into an ague, he began with burning heat to wax faint; and when as the sickness daily increased, upon the sixth day he commanded his monks to carry him into the oratory, where he did arm himself receiving the Body and Blood of our Saviour Christ; and having his weak body holden up betwixt the hands of his disciples, he stood with his own hands lifted up to heaven; and as he was in that manner praying, he gave up the ghost. A plenary indulgence is granted under the usual conditions to one who, at the hour of his death, kisses, touches, or otherwise reverences the Crucifix, and commends his soul to God.
Most people wear the Medal around their necks; some bury it in the foundations of buildings in order to bless them, hang them in their homes, or keep them in their car. When used in specific circumstances for a specific effect, such as when placed against a sick part of the body for healing, one should pray 6 Glorias, 6 Aves, and 6 Paters.
The Blessing of St. Maurus There is also a formal, priestly blessing offered to the sick -- the Blessing of St. Maurus -- that requires either a relic of the True Cross or the St. Benedict Medal. St. Maurus was a disciple of St. Benedict, and his defender against those who persecuted him. Pope St. Gregory the Great described him as a model of religious virtue, especially obedience. The form of the blessing of the sick is as follows:
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Being Catholic: Sacred Things, Scapulars [Ecumenical]
Being Catholic: Sacred Things, The Miraculous Medal [Ecumenical]
'Holy Things To The Holy': Sacred Things, Places, and Times [Ecumenical]
Being Catholic: Sacred Things, [Holy] Water
Being Catholic: Sacred Things, [New] Fire, Paschal Candle
Being Catholic: Sacred Things, Holy Oils
Being Catholic: Sacred Things, Crucifixes and Crosses
Being Catholic: Sacred Things, Sacred Images: Statues and Other Icons
Being Catholic: Sacred Things, Incense
Being Catholic: Sacred Things, Palm Branches
Being Catholic: Sacred Things, Ashes
Being Catholic: Sacred Things, Relics and the Incorruptibles
Purification of Sacred Vessels in U.S. (and more on the Purification of our Lord)
St.Benedict And His Order: A Brief History
Today's the Feast of St. Benedict
Applying St. Benedict's Rule to Fatherhood and Family Life - Using 6th-Century Wisdom Today
Saint Benedict-Abbot, Founder of Western Monasticism-480-550 AD
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I thought I had a St. Benedict medal, but it doesn’t look like this. Hmmmm.
Thank you for your work, Salvation. May the Lord bless and keep you and yours. It is God’s work. Thank you!
V’s wife.
You are much too kind,,,,,blushing.
I’m going to get some too. Good suggestions; the exorcism, alone, is worth it!
Great posts. Thanks.
You are most welcome, Atticus.
Episcopal Collect:
Almighty and everlasting God,
your precepts are the the wisdom of a loving Father:
Give us grace,
following the teaching and example of your servant Benedict,
to walk with loving and willing hearts in the school of the Lord's service;
let your ears be open to our prayers;
and prosper with your blessing the work of our hands;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God,
for ever and ever.
Amen.
Note that the Collect makes reference to the three aspects of the monastic day as found in Rule of Benedict: study (”school of the Lord's service”); prayer (”ears be open to our prayers”); and work (”prosper the work of our hands”)
Ora et labora (work and pray)!
Fascinating!
as I told Salvation...I have a St Benedict (with exorcism blessing) and a Miraculous Medal taped above all bedroom and entry doors in the house....Miraculous Medals tucked between the mattress and boxspring of every bed.
a little extra blessing never hurt anyone :)
My cool one broke, the one that was enameled. Now I just have a plain silver one. But that’s cool enough.
Thanks for sharing this with us!
Yes, work and pray — motto of St. Benedict.
From the Rule of Benedict, abbot | |
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Put Christ before everything | |
Whenever you begin any good work you should first of all make a most pressing appeal to Christ our Lord to bring it to perfection; that he, who has honoured us by counting us among his children, may never be grieved by our evil deeds. For we must always serve him with the good things he has given us in such a way that he may never as an angry father disinherits his sons or even like a master who inspires fear grow impatient with our sins and consign us to everlasting punishment, like wicked servants who would not follow him to glory. So we should at long last rouse ourselves, prompted by the words of Scripture: Now is the time for us to rise from sleep. Our eyes should be open to the God-given light, and we should listen in wonderment to the message of the divine voice as it daily cries out: Today, if you shall hear his voice, harden not your hearts; and again: If anyone has ears to hear, let him listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches. And what does the Spirit say? Come my sons, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord. Hurry, while you have the light of life, so that deaths darkness may not overtake you. And the Lord as he seeks the one who will do his work among the throng of people to whom he makes that appeal, says again: Which of you wants to live to the full; who loves long life and the enjoyment of prosperity? And, if when you hear this you say, I do, God says to you: If you desire true and everlasting life, keep your tongue from evil and your lips from deceit; turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. And when you have done these things my eyes will be upon you and my ears will be attentive to your prayers; and before you call upon my name I shall say to you: Behold, I am here. What could be more delightful, dearest brothers, than the voice of our Lords invitation to us? In his loving kindness he reveals to us the way of life. And so, girded with faith and the performance of good works, let us follow in his paths by the guidance of the Gospel; then we shall deserve to see him who has called us into his kingdom. If we wish to attain a dwelling-place in his kingdom we shall not reach it unless we hasten there by our good deeds. Just as there exists an evil fervour, a bitter spirit, which divides us from God and leads us to hell, so there is a good fervour which sets us apart from evil inclinations and leads us toward God and eternal life. Monks should put this fervour into practice with an overflowing love: that is, they should surpass each other in mutual esteem, accept their weaknesses, either of body or of behaviour, with the utmost patience; and vie with each other in acceding to requests. No one should follow what he considers to be good for himself, but rather what seems good for another. They should display brotherly love in a chaste manner; fear God in a spirit of love; revere their abbot with a genuine and submissive affection. Let them put Christ before all else; and may he lead us all to everlasting life. |
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