Dear Parishioners,
This coming Tuesday, July 11, we celebrate the Feast of St. Benedict of Nursia (Abbot and Founder; b. cir. 480 – d. 547)). He is known as the founder of the Benedictine Order and the monastery at Monte Cassino. He is called the Father of Western monasticism.
He wrote the Rule of St. Benedict that eventually became the norm for monastic life throughout Europe. He was known for great sanctity and worked many great wonders in honor of God during his lifetime. His famous sister, Scholastica, also founded a women’s monastic order. St. Benedict was named the Patron Saint of all of Europe by Pope St. Paul VI. Many people wear on their person or have the Medal of St. Benedict in their home. If you do not have a St. Benedict Medal, I encourage you to practice devotio to St. Benedict through the use of the St. Benedict Medal! I include a summary of the St. Benedict Medal to learn more about this great devotion:
“Many Catholics proudly wear the St. Benedict Medal. It is a sacramental containing many symbols and prayers that can remind us to hold fast against temptation.
During his life, Benedict was known to work many miracles through the power of the Holy Cross. These included his heroic conquering of temptations and his miraculous vanquishing of attempts to kill him. By making the Sign of the Cross over a glass of wine that had been poisoned, for example, the glass shattered and he was spared from drinking it.
These miracles, and his devotion to Christ’s Cross, led to the creation of the St. Benedict Medal. It was a Jubilee medal first struck in 1880 by the Archabbey of Monte Cassino to commemorate the 14th centenary of St. Benedict’s birth.
On the front of the medal, St. Benedict can be seen holding a cross in his right hand and the Rule he wrote for his monks in his left. To the right there is an image of the poisoned cup which he was once given.
On the other side of Benedict, a raven can be seen. This is because
an enemy once sent him poisoned bread; God sent a raven to take
the loaf and fly off with it, thereby protecting Benedict from harm.
The letters on the medal contain either whole phrases in Latin or
the first letter of each word in these phrases. What do they mean in
English?
Front of the Medal:
Crux Sancti Patris Benedicti
The Cross of our Holy Father Benedict
Eius in obitu nostro praesentia muniamur
May we at our death be fortified by his presence
Back of the Medal:
Pax
Peace
On the cross in the center:
C.S.S.M.L.—N.D.S.M.D.
Crux Sacra Sit Mihi Lux
Non Draco Sit Mihi Dux
May the Holy Cross be my light
Let not the dragon be my guide
Circled letters at each corner of the cross:
C.S.P.B.
Crux Sancti Patris Benedicti
The Cross of our Holy Father Benedict
Initials around the perimeter:
V.R.S.N.S.M.V.—S.M.Q.L.I.V.B.
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!”
(from www.catholiccompany.com)
Basically, this is a medal that tells the devil to go back to hell where he belongs. If you obtain this medal, it should be blessed before you begin devotional use. If you have any questions, you can contact me.
Through the intercession of Mary, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, St. Joseph, St. Michael, St. Paul, St. Benedict and St. Scholastica, may our good Lord grant us to be always from the influence of the devil and all evil spirits!
In Christ through Mary,
Fr. Kasel