During his life, St. Benedict was known for performing many miracles through the power of the Holy Cross. Among these were his heroic resistance to temptation and miraculous escapes from attempts on his life.
St. Benedict became especially revered for his spiritual power over the Devil, with the Holy Cross as his instrument of deliverance. The St. Benedict Medal is deeply rooted in this tradition and is widely regarded as a powerful symbol of protection.
The version of the medal most familiar today, the Jubilee Medal, was first minted in 1880 to commemorate the 1,400th anniversary of St. Benedict’s birth. It was created by the Archabbey of Monte Cassino, the most important monastery founded by the saint in the 6th century.
Front of the Medal
St. Benedict is depicted holding a cross in one hand and his rule in the other. To one side is a poisoned cup, and to the other, a raven,both drawn from Benedictine legends.
Above the cup are the words:
Crux sancti patris Benedicti
("The Cross of [our] Holy Father Benedict")
Surrounding the image of St. Benedict:
Eius in obitu nostro praesentia muniamur!
("May we be strengthened by his presence in the hour of our death")
This reflects his role as Patron of a Happy Death, alongside St. Joseph.
Back of the Medal
A cross dominates the center, bearing the initials:
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! May the dragon never be my guide!")
The larger letters C S P B stand for:
Crux Sancti Patris Benedicti
("The Cross of [our] Holy Father Benedict")
Encircling the edge are the initials of a Latin exorcism prayer:
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 is evil. Drink the poison yourself!")
At the top of the medal appears the word PAX, meaning "peace"—a hallmark of Benedictine spirituality.
