St. Benedict Medal

[WillT]

I posted this in the Q&A board but haven't gotten any answers yet, so i figured I would put it out here and see what you guys have to say.

I just got a St. Benedict Jubilee Medal, and am going to have it blessed. I was doing a little research on the medal and from the web sites that I read it seemed like a special blessing (and exorcism) was needed for the indulgences to be granted, so my question is does it really matter enough to worry? And if so, how do I know if the medal was blessed properly? I don't want to be rude to the priest who does the blessing, but I would like it properly blessed if that is indeed a neccesity.

So anyway, I would appreciate any feedback! Thanks!

[franciscanheart]

I'm not really sure right now... I'll ask someone. I too have a St. Benedict medal though mine was already blessed before I received it.

[the_rev]

I don't know about the St. Benedict indulgence, but what I do know as I have one. Is that you wear obviously. And since it is known for keeping evil spirits away during time of tempation you pray an act of contrition out loud, and then say in the name of Jesus Christ be gone, and well the temptation will leave you! Believe me, I've done it a few times and really the temptation does leave you!

Peace of Christ,

Eddie

[ForHimAlone]

I'm not sure about proper blessing procedures, but I know a good priest friend of mine who gave me a Crucifix of St. Benedict insisted on having it blessed by a Benedictine.

[WillT]

bump

Thanks for the feedback! Anybody have anything else to add?

[StColette]

[b]Use of the Medal[/b]

There is no special way prescribed for carrying or wearing the Medal of St. Benedict. It can be worn on a chain around the neck, attached to one's rosary, kept in one's pocket or purse, or placed in one's car or home. The medal is often put into the foundations of houses and building, on the walls of barns and sheds, or in one's place of business.

The purpose of using the medal in any of the above ways is to call down God's blessing and protection upon us, wherever we are, and upon our homes and possessions, especially through the intercession of St. Benedict. By the conscious and devout use of the medal, it becomes, as it were, a constant silent prayer and reminder to us of our dignity as followers of Christ.

The medal is a prayer of exorcism against Satan, a prayer for strength in time of temptation, a prayer for peace among ourselves and among the nations of the world, a prayer that the Cross of Christ be our light and guide, a prayer of firm rejection of all that is evil, a prayer of petition that we may with Christian courage "walk in God's ways, with the Gospel as our guide," as St. Benedict urges us.

A profitable spiritual experience can be ours if we but take the time to study the array of inscriptions and representations found on the two sides of the medal. The lessons found there can be pondered over and over to bring true peace of mind and heart into our lives as we struggle to overcome the weaknesses of our human nature and realize that our human condition is not perfect, but that with the help of God and the intercession of the saints our condition can become better.

The Medal of St. Benedict can serve as a constant reminder of the need for us to take up our cross daily and "follow the true King, Christ our Lord," and thus learn "to share in his heavenly kingdom," as St. Benedict urges us in the Prolog of his Rule.

[b]Two Special Uses of the Medal[/b]

By a rescript of the Sacred Congregation of Religious (4 May 1965) lay Oblates of St. Benedict are permitted to wear the Medal of St. Benedict instead of the small black cloth scapular formerly worn.

By a decree of the Sacred Congregation of Rites (6 March 1959), the Blessing of St. Maur over the sick is permitted to be given with a Medal of St. Benedict instead of with a relic of the True Cross, since the latter is difficult to obtain.

[b]Approved Blessing
of the Medal of St. Benedict[/b]

Medals of Saint Benedict are sacramentals that may be blessed legitimately by any priest or deacon -- not necessarily a Benedictine (Instr., 26 Sept. 1964; Can. 1168). The following English form may be used.

V. Our help is in the name of the Lord.
R. Who made heaven and earth.

In the name of God the Father + almighty, who made heaven and earth, the seas and all that is in them, I exorcise these medals against the power and attacks of the evil one. May all who use these medals devoutly be blessed with health of soul and body. In the name of the Father + almighty, of the Son + Jesus Christ our Lord, and of the Holy + Spirit the Paraclete, and in the love of the same Lord Jesus Christ who will come on the last day to judge the living and the dead, and the world by fire.
Amen.

Let us pray. Almighty God, the boundless source of all good things, we humbly ask that, through the intercession of Saint Benedict, you pour out your blessings + upon these medals. May those who use them devoutly and earnestly strive to perform good works be blessed by you with health of soul and body, the grace of a holy life, and remission of the temporal punishment due to sin.

May they also with the help of your merciful love, resist the temptation of the evil one and strive to exercise true charity and justice toward all, so that one day they may appear sinless and holy in your sight. This we ask though Christ our Lord.
Amen.

The medals are then sprinkled with holy water.

[b]
Purposes of the Medal[/b]

The medal of St. Benedict is the most highly indulgenced medal in the Catholic Church. When the exorcism blessings are applied by a Benedictine Priest, the medal has power over evil: storms, poisons, pestilence, the devil's legions, etc. You must use the medal by calling down the intercession of St. Benedict. (Use by dipping in liquids, placing on/in important machinery, structures, etc.)

On many feast days of Our Lord, the Blessed Mother, the Apostles, and many saints, it is possible to gain a plenary or partial indulgence by carrying or wearing the medal; invoking the intercession of St. Benedict; and, praying for the abolishment of heresy.

The following is a partial list of the many pious purposes of the Medal of St. Benedict:

1. It wards off from both the soul and body all dangers arising from the devil.
2. The Medal is powerful in obtaining for sinners the grace of conversion.
3. It obtains protection and aid for persons tormented by the evil spirit, and in temptations against holy purity.
4. It procures assistance in the hour of death.
5. It has often proved an efficacious remedy for bodily sufferings, and a means of protection against contagious diseases.
6. Expectant mothers have obtained special assistance for a safe delivery.
7. In time of storms, tempests and other dangers on land and sea it has been found to be a protection.
8. Even domestic animals have been visibly aided by it when infected with disease.

[b]PLENARY INDULGENCES
[/b]
A plenary indulgence may be gained on the following feasts of Our Lord:

Christmas � Epiphany (Jan. 6)

Easter � Ascension

Pentecost � Trinity Sunday

Corpus Christi

On the following feasts of the Blessed Virgin:

Immaculate Conception (December 8)

Nativity of the Blessed Virgin (September 8)

Purification (Candlemas Day, February 2)

Annunciation (March 25)

Assumption (August 15)

Also, a plenary indulgence may be gained on the principal feasts of the Benedictine Order:

St. Maurus (January 15)

St. Scholastica (sister of St. Benedict, Feb. 10)

St. Benedict (March 21)

Dedication of the Basilica of Monte Cassino (October 1)

St. Placidus (October 5)

All Saints of our Order (November 13)

St. Gertrude (November 17)

A plenary indulgence on the feast of All Saints (November 1), once a year (at choice) and also at the hour of death.

For gaining all these plenary indulgences, the conditions required are: l) the wearing of the Jubilee Medal, 2) the usual Confession and Communion, 3) a visit to a church, 4) prayers for the Pope and for the conversion of sinners.

[b]THE INDULGENCE[/b]

A great privilege connected with the Jubilee Medal by the decree of the Sacred Congregation of Indulgences, February 27, 1907 deserves special mention: the Toties Quoties plenary indulgence on All Souls� Day, November 2.

By virtue of this decree, all who habitually wear the Jubilee Medal can gain a plenary indulgence for the Poor Souls in Purgatory as often as (toties quoties) they visit any Catholic church or public oratory and pray according to the intention of the Holy Father and receive the Sacraments either on All Saints� or on All Souls� Day. Where there is a Benedictine church within one mile of your own church, the visits must be made to the Benedictine church. One need leave the church for only a few minutes between visits.

This great indulgence for the Poor Souls may be gained from twelve o�clock noon on All Saints� Day until twelve o�clock midnight on All Souls� Day. For thirty-six hours you may gain as many plenary indulgences as you make visits. What a wonderful help for the Poor Souls!
[b]
ANOTHER PRIVILEGE[/b]

Those who devoutly wear the Medal of St. Benedict and pray for the propagation of his holy order share in all the good works, Masses, Communions, Divine Office, prayers and fasts of the entire Order.

[b]St. Benedict Medal Prayer
[/b]

May the intercession of the Blessed Patriarch and Abbot Benedict render Thee merciful unto us, O Lord, that what our own unworthiness cannot obtain, we may receive through his powerful patronage. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen
(This prayer may be said when using the Medal for any pious purpose.)

[franciscanheart]

wow thanks Jennie! my medal was blessed in Medjugore. I really like it.

[StColette]

[quote name='hugheyforlife' date='Jul 6 2005, 02:09 PM']wow thanks Jennie! my medal was blessed in Medjugore. I really like it.
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[/quote]

Awesome

lol I know my Sacramentals lol

[franciscanheart]

[quote name='StColette' date='Jul 6 2005, 02:10 PM']Awesome

lol I know my Sacramentals lol
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[/quote]
ive said it before and ill say it again... we need pocket sized jennie dolls.

[Theoketos]

The Benedictine Order is so awesome. St. Benedict Pray for us!

[Margarite]

Regarding this medal, I had one blessed,

I want to know if the blessing extends to all other medals that you may wear because you lost the original one or do you have to bless each medal individually?

[Christie_M]

[EcceNovaFacioOmni]

I just got a St. Benedict Crucifix. I'm hoping for an opportunity to have it blessed very soon. It's 3.5 inches long. It's awesome.

[img]http://catholiccompany.com/images/large/2003205.jpg[/img]

[let_go_let_God]

I have a Benedictine medal blessed in Medjugore that a friend gave me, I absolutely love it!

God bless-
LGLG

[Seven77]

everyone should have one.

[Seven77]

wonder about the letters on the medal such as C.S.S.M.L or N.D.S.M.D?

read this:
[url="http://www.sancta.org/medal.html"]http://www.sancta.org/medal.html[/url]