What is the Meaning of the Benedictine Medal of Protection?

When I was on my very first pilgrimage to Medjugorje, my heart changed forever. Fr. John Bartunek gave me a bag of blessed Benedictine Medals and told me to carry one with me wherever I go. This medal offers protection so that I can keep my heart wide open to God’s divine love and light without having to worry about protecting myself from hurt, chaos or confusion. I have worn a medal from that day forward. I am incredibly grateful for the blessings in life.

— Amy D'Ambra/My Saint My Hero Founder and Owner

Who is Saint Benedict?

“And let them first pray together, that so they may associate in peace.” –St. Benedict

Benedict of Nursia was born into a wealthy family around 480 AD. After studying in Rome, unnerved by the worldly events of the time and watching his fellow students fritter their lives away, Benedict fled the city for life as a hermit. This, however, was not his calling. After years of prayer, Benedict’s holiness became well known and monks came to seek his guidance. Though he had warned the monks that he would be too strict, they attempted to poison him while under his tutelage. Benedict prayed over the cup of poison (now pictured on the front of the medal) and the cup shattered.

Before too long, Benedict of Nursia had more monks requesting to follow him and 12 monasteries were formed making St. Benedict the father of the Monastic Order. “The Rule” written by St. Benedict became a guide to a prescribed life of prayer, study, moderation and manual labor.  During the Middle Ages, monasteries in the west adopted the Rule of St. Benedict. (Fun Fact – His twin sister is also a saint called St. Scholastica!)

“Listen and attend with the ear of your heart.” –St. Benedict

The Benedictine Medal - What Does Saint Benedict Protect You From?

Each one of us has the chance to make our world a better place every single day. We do so by choosing to do what is right and good and choosing to avoid what is wrong. God has given us an internal sensor that helps us seek good and avoid evil; it’s called our conscience. He has also given us the Holy Spirit to keep our conscience strong and clear, but we still find it hard to say no to temptation and sin. This bracelet is an extra help in your battle to make the world a better place and follow the path to heaven. It’s like a secret weapon.

In Christian tradition, the Benedictine cross is one of the Church’s most powerful signs of divine protection. It was created in the mid 600’s as a symbol of the spiritual truths that enabled St. Benedict and his many followers to resist evil and do good. “The Holy Cross be my Light,” is written in Latin on the front of the cross, which is used all over the world to help spread Christ’s Kingdom of love and light. Wear this ancient symbol to help protect your soul, your loved ones and your home from anything contrary to God’s love. – Father John Bartunek, LC ThDRCSpirituality.org

The Powerful Prayers on the Back of the Medal 

On the back of the medal are two prayers that can be recited daily. The first prayer: Crux sacra sit mihi lux! Nunquam draco sit mihi dux! Translated, it means: The Holy Cross be my light; Let not the dragon be my guide.

The second prayer with which St. Benedict prayed over the cup of poison: Vade retro Satana! Nunquam suade mihi vana! Sunt mala quae libas. Ipse venena bibas! Begone, Satan, Do not suggest to me thy vanities! Evil are the things thou offerest, Drink thou thy own poison!

St. Benedict on the Front of the Medal

On the front of the medal, we see St. Benedict holding the Rule of St. Benedict in his left hand and the cross of St. Benedict. Behind him is the cup of poison

Wear your Benedictine Medal as a tangible reminder each day of the power of prayer, the power of faith, and the power of love!

St. Benedict Feast Day – July 11