The St. Benedict Medal: Origin, Meaning, and Powerful Catholic Use

For centuries, the St. Benedict Medal has stood as a powerful spiritual weapon in the Church’s treasury of sacramentals. Rooted in the life and faith of Saint Benedict of Nursia, the medal is rich in history, symbolism, and prayer. From miraculous protection to quiet reminders of our Christian duty, the medal continues to draw souls closer to Christ through the intercession of this holy monk.

The Life Behind the Medal: Saint Benedict of Nursia

Born in 480 A.D. in Norcia, about 70 miles from Rome, Saint Benedict left a promising future to pursue a life of sanctity. He eventually lived as a hermit in Subiaco under the guidance of a monk named Romanus. His holiness attracted followers, and although some initially rejected his leadership—going so far as to poison him—God miraculously protected him when he blessed a poisoned cup, which shattered in his hands.

At just 31, Benedict began founding monasteries. By 39, he had established twelve, including the most famous—Monte Cassino, where he wrote the Rule of Saint Benedict. This rule shaped Western monasticism and continues to guide Benedictine life today. Saint Benedict died in 543 A.D., 40 days after his twin sister, Saint Scholastica.

A Mysterious Beginning: The Origins of the Medal

The exact origins of the St. Benedict Medal remain unknown. However, at some point, a series of mysterious capital letters appeared around a cross on its reverse side. For centuries, the meaning of these letters remained a mystery until 1647, when a 1415 manuscript found in the Abbey of Metten (Bavaria) explained that these were initials of a Latin exorcism prayer against Satan.

The Jubilee Medal of Monte Cassino (1880)

To celebrate the 1400th anniversary of Saint Benedict’s birth, the Jubilee Medal was struck in 1880 at the request of Monte Cassino’s prior, Very Rev. Boniface Krug OSB. Designed in Beuron, Germany, this medal incorporated all prior elements and has become the most widely used version to this day.

Front of the Medal: Symbols of Holiness and Protection

• Saint Benedict is depicted holding the Cross in his right hand—the symbol of salvation and the faith he preached.

• In his left hand, he holds his Rule for Monasteries, encouraging us to “walk in God’s ways, with the Gospel as our guide.”

• On the right pedestal: a shattered poisoned cup, referencing the foiled attempt on his life.

• On the left: a raven, about to carry off poisoned bread—another divine intervention.

• Above these is the Latin: Crux s. patris Benedicti (The Cross of our holy father Benedict).

• Around the margin: Eius in obitu nostro praesentia muniamur! (May we be strengthened by his presence in the hour of our death!)

At the bottom: ex SM Casino MDCCCLXXX, denoting the medal's origin at Monte Cassino, 1880.

Back of the Medal: The Cross and the Battle Against Evil

The reverse side features a dominant cross, bearing the initial letters of a Latin prayer:

Crux sacra sit mihi lux! Nunquam draco sit mihi dux!
(May the holy cross be my light! May the dragon never be my guide!)

In the angles of the cross are the letters C S P B (Crux Sancti Patris Benedicti). Above the cross is PAX (Peace)—a Benedictine motto for centuries.

The outer margin features the initials of a Latin exorcism:

Vade retro Satana! Nunquam suade mihi vana! Sunt mala quae libas. Ipse venena bibas!
(Begone Satan! Never tempt me with your vanities! What you offer me is evil. Drink the poison yourself!)

How to Use the St. Benedict Medal

There’s no prescribed way to carry or display the medal. It can be:

• Worn on a necklace, rosary, bracelet, or scapular

• Placed in a purse, pocket, car, or home

• Embedded in the foundation of buildings or over the entrance to a home

Wherever it is placed, the purpose remains the same: to call down God's protection and peace through the intercession of St. Benedict.

💡 Important: The medal should be blessed by a priest to benefit from the full spiritual graces and exorcism prayers attached to it.

Who Should Use It?

Anyone—Catholics and even non-Catholics—may use the medal. It is especially recommended for:

• Those facing temptation or spiritual attack

• The sick and dying

• Those suffering mentally or physically

• People seeking peace, strength, and protection

More Than a Medal: A Daily Spiritual Companion

The St. Benedict Medal is not a superstition or lucky charm. Its power lies in faith, prayer, and the authority of the Church’s blessing. With its deep spiritual meaning and rich history, the medal serves as a daily reminder to reject evil, trust in God, and walk in the way of the Cross.

Whether worn on your person or hung in your home, it becomes a silent prayer, urging us to follow the call of Christ and embrace the wisdom of Saint Benedict:

“Follow the true King, Christ our Lord… and learn to share in His heavenly kingdom.”

Sources: St. Benedict Center, Sisters of Carmel, Ascension Presents