feast day: July 11
about:
- born: ca. 480, Nursia (modern Norcia) (Umbria, Italy)
- died: ca. 547, Monte Cassino
- died while standing in prayer before God
- father of western monasticism
- twin brother of Saint Scholastica
- golden rule = "ora et labora" (prayer and work)
- 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).
- was not the founder of Christian monasticism, since he lived two and a half to three centuries after its beginnings in Egypt, Palestine, and Asia Minor. He became a monk as a young man and thereafter learned the tradition by associating with monks and reading the monastic literature. He was caught up in the monastic movement but ended by channeling the stream into new and fruitful ways. This is evident in the Rule which he wrote for monasteries and which was and is still used in many monasteries and convents around the world.
- attributes: bell, broken tray, broken cup and serpent representing poison, broken utensil, bush, crosier, man in a Benedictine cowl holding Benedict's rule or a rod of discipline, raven
St. Benedict's medal:
- is one of the oldest and most honored medals used by Christians and due to the belief in its power against evil is also known as the "devil-chasing medal". As early as the 11th century, it may have initially had the form of Saint Benedict's cross, and was used by pope Leo IX.
- a Christian sacramental medal
- was first created in 1880 to commemorate 1400th centenary of his birth
- "PAX" (Peace)
- "Eius in obitu nostro praesentia muniamur" ("May we, at our death, be fortified by His presence")
- CSPB - "Crux Sancti Patris Benedicti" ("The Cross of the Holy Father Benedict")
- CSSML- "Crux Sacra Sit Mihi Lux" ("May the Holy Cross be my light")
- NDSMD- "Non Draco Sit Mihi Dux" ("Let not the dragon be my overlord")
- VRSNSMV- "Vade Retro Satana, Nonquam Suade Mihi Vana" ("Begone Satan, do not suggest to me thy vanities")
- SMQLIVB- "Sunt Mala Quae Libas, Ipse Venena Bibas" ("Evil are the things thou profferest, drink thou thy own poison")
- at any rate, in order to understand the symbolism 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.
- the medal wards against:
1. To destroy witchcraft and all other diabolical and haunting influences;
2. To impart protection to persons tempted, deluded, or tormented by evil spirits;
3. To obtain the conversion of sinners into the Catholic Church, especially when they are in danger of death;
4. To serve as an armor against temptation;
5. To destroy the effects of poison;
6. To secure a timely and healthy birth for children;
7. To afford protection against storms and lightning;
8. To serve as an efficacious remedy for bodily afflictions and a means of protection against contagious diseases.
- How to use the medal:
1. On a chain around the neck;
2. Attached to one’s rosary;
3. Kept in one’s pocket or purse;
4. Placed in one’s car or home;
5. Placed in the foundation of a building;
6. Placed in the center of a cross.
The use of any religious article is intended as a means of reminding one of God and of inspiring a willingness and desire to serve God and neighbor. It is not regarded as a good luck charm or magical device.
- It is supposed to be effective in many ways:
- to destroy witchcraft and all other diabolical and haunting influences;
- to impart protection to persons tempted, deluded, or tormented by evil spirits;
- to obtain the conversion of sinners to the Catholic Church, especially when they are in danger of death;
- to serve as an armor against temptation;
- to destroy the effects of poison;
- to secure a timely and healthy birth for children;
- to afford protection against storms and lightning;
- to serve as an efficacious remedy for bodily afflictions and a means of protection against contagious diseases.
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PRAYER TO ST. BENEDICT
source: http://www.st-benedict-medal.com/prayers-to-saint-benedict.htm
O glorious St. Benedict, sublime model of all virtues, pure vessel of God's grace! Behold me, humbly kneeling at thy feet. I implore thy loving heart to pray for me before the throne of God. To thee I have recourse in all the dangers which daily surround me. Shield me against my enemies, inspire me to imitate thee in all things. May thy blessing be with me always, so that I may shun whatever God forbids and avoid the occasions of sin.
Graciously obtain for me from God those favors and graces of which I stand so much in need, in the trials, miseries and afflictions of life. Thy heart was always so full of love, compassion, and mercy towards those who were afflicted or troubled in any way. Thou didst never dismiss without consolation and assistance any one who had re-course to thee. I therefore invoke thy powerful intercession, in the confident hope that thou wilt hear my prayers and obtain for me the special grace and favor I so earnestly implore (mention it), if it be for the greater glory of God and the welfare of my soul.
Help me, O great St. Benedict, to live and die as a faithful child of God, to be ever submissive to His holy will, and to attain the eternal happiness of heaven. Amen.
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THE LITANY OF ST. BENEDICT
source: http://www.st-benedict-medal.com/prayers-to-saint-benedict.htm
Lord, have mercy on us, Christ, have mercy on us.
God the Father of Heaven, Have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, Have mercy on us.
God, the Holy Spirit, Have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God, Have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, Pray for us.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, Pray for us.
Holy Virgin of virgins, Pray for us.
Holy Father, Saint Benedict, Pray for us.
Father most reverend, Pray for us.
Father most renowned, Pray for us.
Father most compassionate, Pray for us.
Man of great fortitude, Pray for us.
Man of venerable life, Pray for us.
Man of the most holy conversation, Pray for us.
True servant of God, Pray for us.
Light of devotion, Pray for us.
Light of prayer, Pray for us.
Light of contemplation, Pray for us.
Star of the world, Pray for us.
Best master of an austere life, Pray for us.
Leader of the holy warfare, Pray for us.
Leader and chief of monks, Pray for us.
Master of those who die to the world, Pray for us.
Protector of those who cry to thee, Pray for us.
Wonderful worker of miracles, Pray for us.
Revealer of the secrets of the human heart, Pray for us.
Master of spiritual discipline, Pray for us.
Companion of the patriarchs, Pray for us.
Equal of the prophets, Pray for us.
Follower of the Apostles, Pray for us.
Teacher of Martyrs, Pray for us.
Father of many pontiffs, Pray for us.
Gem of abbots, Pray for us.
Glory of Confessors, Pray for us.
Imitator of anchorites, Pray for us.
Associate of virgins, Pray for us.
Colleague of all the Saints, Pray for us.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world, Have mercy on us.
V. Intercede for us, O holy father Saint Benedict,
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let Us Pray: O God, Who hast called us from the vanity of the world, and Who dost incite us to the reward of a heavenly vocation under the guidance of our holy patriarch and founder, Saint Benedict, inspire and purify our hearts and pour forth on us Thy grace, whereby we may persevere in Thee. Through Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Amen.
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links/ sources:
- "Saint Benedict of Nursia" (The Order of Saint Benedict):
http://www.osb.org/gen/benedict.html
- "The Rule of Saint Benedict" (The Order of Saint Benedict):
http://www.osb.org/gen/rule.html
- "St. Benedict of Nursia" (Catholic Encyclopedia):
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02467b.htm
- "Benedict of Nursia" (Wikipedia):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benedict_of_Nursia
- "St. Benedict of Nursia" (EWTN):
http://www.ewtn.com/library/MARY/BENEDICT.htm
- "The Medal of Saint Benedict" (The Order of Saint Benedict):
http://www.osb.org/gen/medal.html
- "Saint Benedict Medal" (Wikipedia):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Benedict_Medal
- "The Medal of Saint Benedict" (Catholic Encyclopedia):
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/13338a.htm
- "Prayers / Novena to Saint Benedict" (St. Benedict of Nursia):
http://www.st-benedict-medal.com/prayers-to-saint-benedict.htm