HISTORY OF THE MEDAL AND CROSS OF ST. BENEDICT

The Medal of St. Benedict, one of the sacraments of the Holy Church, first saw the light of day probably in the Middle Ages in the environment of the Benedictine Order. St. Benedict greatly revered and loved the Crucified Jesus, the Savior of the world, and by His power he performed a great number of miracles and cast out many evil spirits. From the beginning, the Cross was an object of special love and veneration in the Benedictine Order. The depiction of St. Benedict holding the Cross probably became widespread after the miraculous healing of St. Leo IX, who was bitten by a poisonous snake as a young man. After nearly two months of illness, when he was about to die, an old man in monk's robes appeared to him, touched him and healed him. Later in his life, he often recalled this experience, recognizing St. Benedict in the old man. Medals depicting the figure of St Benedict on one side and a cross with inscribed letters on the other side have been encountered since the 17th century.

According to historical sources, the first St. Benedict medal was struck in Germany, from where it spread throughout Europe. The medal became more widespread afterwards thanks to St. Vincent of Paula. The meaning of the letters on the medal is explained by an old manuscript from 1415, where St. Benedict is depicted holding a staff topped with a cross in one hand and a scroll in the other. On both objects are written words beginning with the letters on the medal. These words have been forgotten over time, so that a 17th-century document describes these symbols painted on the walls of a Bavarian abbey, but with the remark that no one can explain their meaning. Since the 18th century, however, the Cross of St. Benedict has been common on all Bohemian Benedictine buildings, and its veneration was authorized by Pope Benedict XIV at the request of Abbot Benno II. Löbl in 1741.

DESCRIPTION OF THE MEDAL OF ST. BENEDICT. On one side of the medal is St. Benedict, holding a cross in his right hand and the Rule of St. Benedict in his left. On the right side is a broken cup with a snake, on the left side we see a raven carrying away poisoned bread. These images relate to stories from the Dialogues of St. Gregory the Great, in which St. Benedict was saved from enemy ambush by the power of the emblem of the Holy Cross. There is also an inscription. Eius in obitu nostro prasentia muniamur = May his presence protect us in the hour of death.

On the other side of the medal is a cross with the letters C-S-P-B, which means again Crux sancti patris Benedicti = The Cross of the Holy Father Benedict. PAX = Peace, which is the motto of the Order of St. Benedict. Some medals have the letters IHS instead of the text Pax, which stands for. C-S-S-M-L, meaning Crux Sacra Sit Mihi Lux = Let the Holy Cross be my light and the letters: N-D-S-M-D, which means: Non Draco Sit Mihi Dux = Let not the dragon (meaning the devil) be my guide. In the margin are the initial letters of the exorcism: V-R-S - N-S-M-V - S-M-Q-L - I-V-B: Vade Retro Satana, Numquam Suade Mihi Vana, Sunt Mala Qua Libas, Ipse Venena Bibas = Go away Satan, do not tempt me to vanity; what you tempt me to do is evil, drink your poison yourself !This is the so-called "apotropaion" - the exorcism of the devil, of very ancient origin. According to tradition, dating back to the 11th century, the abbot is linked to the legend of Count Bruno of Alsace Egisheim, the aforementioned later Pope Leo IX, and his bite.

THE USE OF THE MEDAL OF ST. BENEDICT. According to tradition, this medal is an extremely powerful protective object against demons and the wiles of the devil.Its power is attributed primarily to the redemptive value of Christ's sacrifice on the cross, the effect of the prayers of St. Benedict and his intercessions in heaven, the blessing of the Church and, last but not least, the faith and state of grace of the one who wears and uses it.

The medal is usually worn around the neck, scapular or rosary. It is also often placed in fields, in the foundations of buildings or in cars, where, in conjunction with firm faith and prayer, it serves to bless God, intercede for St. John of God, and to bless the Lord. Benedict's blessing and the diminishing of the power of evil spirits. The pious wearing of this medal, like the wearing of the Miraculous Medal, can be considered as a constant silent prayer. Once a week it is recommended to pray a prayer to St. Benedict, the patron saint of Europe, or a prayer for a good death. According to some sources, the power of God through this medal extends to its other miraculous effects. For example, there is talk of the destruction of radioactivity or germs in the fluids in which the medal is immersed, as well as the healing power of the medal, but it is important to remember that it is God himself who heals and performs miracles.

By wearing the medal, one shows that he places himself under the protection of St. Benedict. The exorcism is a sign of rejection of the devil and his temptations, as St. Benedict did, and the emblem of the Holy Cross is a profession of the Christian's faith. A special form of medal is the so-called Benedictine Cross, which is actually a crucifix that has the medal of St. Benedict embedded in the middle. Both objects can be blessed.

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