Think You Don’t Need St. Benedict’s Protection? Think again!

​Why Saint Benedict?

​During a recent Mass at his Santa Marta residence, Pope Francis warning in his homily:

”The devil is here…even in the 21st century! And we mustn’t be naïve, right? We must learn from the Gospel how to fight against Satan.”

St Benedict

​Pope Francis reminds us that:

  • ​Temptation is constantly around us
  • ​The devil is always looking for ways to steer us away from the right path
  • ​The devil is sneaky and is unrelenting in his attempt to make us sin
  • star
    We must constantly be vigilant and not give in even to the smallest temptations
  • star
    We must rely on the Scriptures to teach us how to fight the devil
  • star
    Pray to God for his protection

​We can also pray to St. Benedict — protector against evil spirits — for his intercession and protection from the snares of the devil.

More...

​Who is Saint Benedict?

Saint Benedict

St. Benedict was born to a noble family around 480 A.D. in Nursia, in central Italy. He lived a sequestered life for many years, leaving family and friends behind to live in a cave near the town of Subiaco. St. Benedict chose to live a quiet life of prayer and devotion to God after disapproving of the immoral lifestyle he encountered while he attended school in Rome. Even though he lived a life devoted to God, St. Benedict (like all of us) was constantly tempted by the devil.

St. Benedict was able to defeat the devil numerous times throughout his life, earning him the title of protector against evil spirits, temptation, and witchcraft. St. Benedict also offers protection against being poisoned, infectious diseases, childbirth complications, and destruction during storms and tempests. He also obtains for sinners the grace of conversion.

​St. Benedict’s Protection — A Lifetime of Defeating the Devil

​Pope Gregory I, also known as St. Gregory the Great, detailed St. Benedict’s encounters with the devil as part of his four-part book series, The Dialogues. Here are some examples of how St. Benedict defeated the devil.

​The Miracle of the Poisoned Wine

​​After living in solitude for a few years, St. Benedict was discovered by a group of monks who asked him to organize their monastery and become their abbot, or leader. Soon, however, the monks rejected St. Benedict’s leadership, feeling it was too strict and devised a plan to poison him. The monks offered St. Benedict a cup of poisoned wine, but before drinking it, St. Benedict — who greatly venerated the Holy Cross — blessed the cup with the sign of the cross.

The cup immediately broke into pieces and his life was spared

​St. Benedict retreated back to his life of solitude, telling the monks “May Almighty God have mercy on you, and forgive you.” Saint Benedict eventually went on to establish 12 monasteries and became known as the “Father of western monasticism​”.

​The Black Bird

​​​During his time in seclusion, St. Benedict was visited by the devil, disguised as a blackbird. The blackbird flew very close to him, hovering near his face. Aware that this was the devil, St. Benedict blessed himself with the sign of the cross and the bird immediately flew away. Soon after, the devil tempted St. Benedict with the memory of a woman he once knew. He was so overcome by desire for this woman that he was tempted to leave his life of chastity.

Suddenly, St. Benedict spotted large thorn bushes nearby and threw himself into them in the hopes of extinguishing his desire. When he got up, his flesh was badly torn and scratched, but he overcame his temptation. St. Benedict believed it was God’s grace that helped him resist the temptation of his flesh and avoid sin. He later described that by the wounds of his body he cured the wounds of his soul.

​St. Benedict Moves a Large Stone by the Power of Prayer

​St. Benedict once again drove the devil away on a day when the monks were busy building a new monastery. As the monks were moving stones to use in the building of the structure, they came across a large stone that they weren’t able to lift. The group of monks repeatedly tried to move the stone, without success. They realized the devil was sitting on the stone, preventing it from being used in the building of the monastery. St. Benedict arrived and after praying, drove the devil away and was able to pick up the stone himself with little effort.

​There is nothing more powerful than a prayer, like this Saint Benedict Prayer

The St. Benedict Medal​

​​What do the images mean?

​The St. Benedict medal is filled with symbolic images. The front of the medal has the image of St. Benedict holding a cross in his right hand and The Rule of Benedict — a guide on how monks and nuns should live a balanced, simple, obedient, and prayerful life — in his left hand. The same rules are still used today, over 1500 years later.

To the right of St. Benedict is a cup with a serpent, representing the poisoned cup of wine that shattered after he blessed it. To his left is a raven with a loaf of bread. This image refers to the second attempt on St. Benedict’s life when a jealous enemy gave him a poisoned loaf of bread. God sent a raven to take the bread away. On each side of St. Benedict are Latin words meaning: “The Cross of the Holy Father Benedict.”

Below his feet are the words: “From the Holy Monte Cassino, 1880.” This is the date that Monte Cassino (St. Benedict’s first monastery) was given exclusive rights to produce the medal. It was the 1400th anniversary of St. Benedict’s birth. Around the edge of the medal are the words: “May his presence protect us in the hour of death.”

​Back of the St. Benedict Medal

St Benedict Seal

​​The back of the medal features a large cross in the center. The vertical beam of the cross has the letters: C.S.S.M.L., which represent the first letters of the words: Crux Sacra Sit Mihi Lux (May the Holy Cross be for me a light). The horizontal beam of the cross has the letters: N.D.S.M.D., the first letters of the words: Non Draco Sit Mihi Dux (Let not the dragon be my guide). The four large letters at the angles of the Cross: C S P B stands for Crux Sancti Patris Benedicti (The Cross of the Holy Father Benedict).

Encircling the right edge of the medal are the initials for the words: Vade retro Satana; nunquam suade mihi vana (Begone Satan! Suggest not to me thy vain things). On the left edge of the medal are the initials for the words: Sunt mala quae libas; ipse venena bibas (The drink you offer is evil; drink that poison yourself). The word “Pax,” meaning “Peace” is inscribed on the top.

​How You Can Use the St. Benedict Medal for Protection

​The St. Benedict medal is a visible reminder to call on St. Benedict to be your intercessor before God to protect your body and soul from the dangers of evil. The medal can be worn on a chain around your neck, attached to a rosary, kept in a wallet or purse, or placed in your car or home. Many people also choose to place the St. Benedict medal in the foundation of houses and buildings they’re building, for years of protection.

​St. Benedict's Feast is celebrated
July 11

​St. Benedict Medals, Crucifixes and Rosaries

Men's St. Benedict Black Wood Rosary

​The rosary is very lightweight and feels wonderful in your hand as your fingers work their way across the beads. The crucifix has black enamel inlay a silver tone corpus and the St. Benedict medallion on the back and front. The centerpiece echos the crucifix in that it too has the round St. Benedict medallion. ​View Saint Benedict Men's Rosary

St. Benedict Rosary Light Brown

​​St. Benedict rosary is designed with a 6mm light brown bead, a St. benedict crucifix pendant and a St. Benedict medallion centerpiece. Very lightweight and measuring 17" long, this rosary is easy to carry around in your pocket or purse and will not take up too much space. You'll enjoy praying with the rosary as the beads glide easily through your fingertips. The brown enamel cross is yet another attractive feature of this inexpensive quality rosary. ​​View Light Brown Saint Benedict Rosary

St. Benedict Keepsake Box and Rosary with Red Enamel

​This 3.75" Saint Benedict figurine stands atop a small keepsake box and inside the box is a St. Benedict rosary. The statuette of St. Benedict is affixed to a lovely little keepsake box whose top is red enamel and border is accented with flowers. Open the lid of the keepsake box and you'll find a dainty St. Benedict rosary. ​View St. Benedict Crucifix Keepsake Box and Rosary

St. Benedict Silver with Black Enamel Pectoral Crucifix

​​Made in Italy this quality St. Benedict Crucifix pendant will look beautiful and last. The pectoral crucifix pendant is 3" tall and has a large jump ring for even a large chain to slip through. The front of the cross has a silver tone border, corpus and St. Benedict medal and the cross itself has enamel inlay. The back of the crucifix is also enamel inlay and the reverse side of the St. Benedict medallion. ​View Black Enamel Saint Benedict Crucifix Pendant

​Has St. Benedict protected you?

If so, how?

Do you wear a Saint Benedict cross, or pray with a Saint Benedict rosary?

Did you know the meanings of the symbols?

  • Earl McNally says:

    Need to know all St benedict

    • Wendy says:

      Thank you for this posting on st Benedict and the power of the jesus’ cross of salvation. I memorized the Latin letters in words and the English meaning. St benedict and st Joseph and the Chaplet of divine mercy protection works.

    • Bill Luceno says:

      Nice piece of research on St Benedict whose intercession and medal is powerful armor against the evil one.

  • silvia says:

    who make the medal of st . Benedic?

  • Esther says:

    I didn’t knew about it.
    Thank you so much. I too have a rosary with the medal and
    I will surely tell this to everyone.

  • Janice says:

    Found my medal today of Saint B.

  • Winifred Ross says:

    A relative was having demonic asults on her at night. after placing st benidict blessed medals over every window and door way and above her bed the asults on her ceased
    Praised be to almighty god and the power given to St Benidict Amen

  • Beatrice says:

    Thanks again for the information about St Benedict. I feel empowered and may God use me through the intercession of dt Benedict, Mary and St Rita . Thank you Jesus Praise God. The witches around me will gnatsh their teeth. This marks my liberation, Mary crash the head of the serpant ?

  • StatVeritats says:

    Always wear a St. Benedict Medal in your rosary and with your Brown Scapular!

    Buy a bunch of medals and have them properly bless preferably by a Traditionalist priest so you get the right blessing and exorcism for the medals have them always with you, on you, in your house, in your car, buried them around your house, put them on your pet’s collar or on any animals on the farm, have them in your backpack or purse, take them with you on your suitcase, and give a medal to Catholics who value sacramentals and are going through difficult times or spiritually harassed or attacked, explain to them that the Medals are exorcised and that they are a great protection against the devil and anything evil or bad.

    BUT MOST ESPECIALLY GIVE THESE BLESSED MEDALS TO YOUR FAMILY MEMBERS AND ALL YOUR LOVE ONES.

    I am not yelling I am using the caps to emphisize my point.

    I share this with all of you because the medals give great protection in these dark times and protects you like I said against the attacks of the enemy of our souls.

    Buy St. Benedict crucifixes hung them in your homes and bless your rosaries and pray it everyday and St. Michael’s statues and medals and trust me they are amazing along with Holy Water and regular Confession and going to Mass and receiving the Eucharist in a state of grace and you will see miracles happen and a great internal peace.

    Share this with your family and friends and always pray!

    God Bless you all!!

    Mary Help of Christians pray for us!
    Our Lady of Perpetual Help pray for us!
    St. Michael pray for us!
    St. Benedict pray for us!

  • Martus says:

    The heathens have many god’s they call on for protection and various other needs but I pray only to Father in Jesus name for all my needs, help and salvation.

  • Diane says:

    My family is attacked by evil continually every single day. My husband has been in hospital bed bound since 2015 almost 3 years and I visit him every day. There is much evil prowling the halls of the facility. Trillium Health Partners Mississauga, Ontario. He lays in the continuing complex care Unit Queensway site. This happened to him February 2015 because 4 doctors misdiagnosed a simple ulcer. My husband Jim literally bleed to death and had no pulse for THIRTY MINUTES resulting in brain damage. I was advised to “let him go” but I refused to take my husband’s life. We are constantly being attacked by neglect and inadequate care, hostile nurses. I was attacked 3 days ago. Please dearest children of God pray for Jim’s recovery and protection from the evil that lurks around this Unit and our lives. Blessings and thanksgivings. PLEASE help us. Diane

  • Diane Phillips says:

    Wow! I’m Catholic and I do know Saint Benedict, but I has no clue of the meaning or the His symbols what they symbolized. Very interested and must get a rosary or two. We all need protection from every evil that’s around us especially that evil drug that is tearing our family apart. My daughter is going through some bad times and has been involved with this evil drug and has not been able to see her baby for 3 mths now and will not be able until she gets to a rehab and comes back clean. It is the hardest thing a Mother has to go thru, Please pray for her and for the family to be there for her and never turn her away because I believe that the time she needs us is when she hits rock bottom.

    Thank You,

    Texas

  • claude couture says:

    become an Oblate

  • John brown says:

    I met the Satan himself in Ocala Florida. Not only the devil, but a group of people, 30 to 40 in this group. I was homeless at the time and laid down next to a motel trying to get some sleep. People started to appear one by one. The started to perform a show, hanging from trees and making formations that was not of this world. They started to have sex. Everything you could imagine was happening. They ask me to join them and I refused. They got very angry with me. One man said he got everyone to join in except the one. He said he wanted to kill me. At that point, I heard a voice that told me not to show fear. They can’t hurt you if you do not fear them. At one point two men appeared with guns. They stood at an angle that was not humanly possible. One of them was dressed in a security guard uniform and had what looked like a 38 revolver. The other was a older man gray hair and a little heavy set
    He had what looked like a 9mm pistol. He started pointing the gun at two of the girls and threatened to shoot them. I told him go ahead. He got angry and pointed the gun at my head. Once again I told to go ahead. The gun started shaking in his hand while it was pointed at me. Once again he got angry, but he lowered the gun. I refused to show fear and that was the only thing that saved my life. I saw things that night that were totally unexplainable. Some of the most beautiful women I have ever seen, but all night long I refused everything they had to offer. There was an Asian girl that appeared on the opposite side of the palm tree I was laying next to. Very pretty girl, but she started smoking a pipe and she started to overdose right before my eyes. Foaming at the mouth then blood started to come out of her mouth. I wanted to help her, but I knew if I crossed that line, they would have me. I laid back down and soon she opened her eyes and was suddenly fine. She gave me this smile and shook her head like she couldn’t believe I was not joining into into the group. Again I heard them talk about killing me. They said they would put four shots into my ear and kill me. Then I heard them say they couldn’t kill me because God would have great repercussions against them. This went on all night. As it started to get light outside, they started to leave one by one. I heard a woman ask if they were going to do anymore of these and a man said yes, 2 or 3 more. Towards the end of the night, the devil himself appeared. Now he really freaked me out. He is not a little red person with a pointy tail. He had a gray face with deep wrinkles running across his face. A large round nose and the grayest eyes I have ever seen. He had black sparce hair with a very thin strange beard. He talked slow with a deep voice and he asked me what can I do to get me to join them. Once again I refused, all I could do at this point was shake my head no. My mind wad blown at this point. He said ok John, tonight you win. There will be another time. He vanished and there was only 3 people left. I got up and looked at the sky and it appeared to be the worst storm clouds I ever saw. I knew I had to get up and run. I sat up and this large medical bag appeared. It was full of the shiney knives and different types of bone saws. At this point I knew it was time to run. I grabbed my bag and backpack and took off thru a parking lot. I took off and headed for a church I used to live at. I got to the church and right across the street the 3 men that were left there, were standing across the street. They started to wave at me. I made it to the church and started to pray. After a few things went on, like a hearse appearing on the street. It was finally over. The sun came up and it was finally over. Now I thought I was going crazy. I convinced myself that I imagined the whole thing. Until later that day when I ran into two of the people in the park. The first two that appeared the night before. A white man with a goatee, and his black pregnant wife who he offered to me that night. I was shaking so bad and they acted afraid of me. They got up and ran to there car. So the next night they came back after me again. They said they wanted my soul. It got a lot more violent that night, but that is a totally new story. I ended up talking to a priest, father Raul. He listened to me story and he told me about St. Benedict. He told me to wear his metal for protection from Satan. I now wear two St. Benedict rings and his cross above my bed. Since then they have appeared a few times, like they are letting me know they are still there. I left Florida and now live in D.C. with my son. So far, so good. I have not had anything happen since I left Ocala. This story is strange but true. I have much more details about what happened during those two nights and other times they came after me. In fact I am writing a book so I can tell the whole story.

  • Shar Mascar says:

    My maternal grandmother ( who was basically my mother) was a devout catholic. I was raised in the catholic church from birth. When she passed, I had taken all of the tubs of her precious artifacts. One of the items was this metal and I kept with all my things for the last 4 years and occasionally looked at it. I don’t know what came over me 12/31/18 to pull that medal out and pray over it for protection the morning before i left for work. I prayed fiercely. Placed it in a small porcelain dish and immersed it in alcohol to clean it. I cut a piece of my hair, placed it also inside the dish and asked for god, the spirits , elders , guides , anyone above to provide ultimate protection over myself and my two children (17 and 11 at the time) going into this new year. Specifically asking at one point for the spell/curse to be removed that had been cast on myself and my son 18 years ago from my paternal grandmother -who was a self proclaimed witch and a pretty evil hateful women who wished us dead . I left for work, came home, and then celebrated new years with my mother( whom we have been working on building a relationship after the last 20 years) my girlfriend and my son. I noticed that all the alcohol had been poured out of this dish and i asked my girlfriend if she had touched it as there was no way it would evaporate that fast and she said no. I did not believe her and i filled the dish with alcohol again, prayed for protection and went on about my night. My son last minute decided to go to a friends to ring in the new year and i was upset he was leaving at 11 pm . He promised he would text me when the uber dropped him off and said he would be home by 1 or 2pm. I woke at 446 am. My son was not home. I could not reach his phone and began to pray. St Anthonys hospital called me at 6:15 am to tell me my son had been involved in an accident and was hit by a drunk driver walking down the street and to get to the hospital. When i got there, when i saw the damage, and i saw my son alive and torn up in the hospital bed, the only thing in my heart of hearts knew is that the medal and god saved his life. No broken bones, no internal bleeding- but to see the car , the other people (One broke her neck and the rest of the story is a insane and unbelievable ) driving it and the damage was beyond extensive( 3 fences, metal rebar, a light post, a bus stop, brick walls, street signs.. etc) and my son just had bruises from where the bumper hit him and threw him and a slight head trauma – well there is no explanation. Since then , my son has the metal posted outside his door. When he leaves the house to go on trip, he wears it. This metal is indeed the protection against evil.

  • Dr. Dee Johnson says:

    Dr. Dee Johnson
    I was raised Catholic, and then I went back to school to be discipline in the Word of God, and His way. Yes I do wear St. Benedict Medals all over me, and I even give them out once I got the Understanding and the History of The St. Benedict, I am always under spiritual attack, Because of the Love I have for Jesus Christ. My attack comes mainly from close Family, But every time they set a trap for me, It falls on them. I also say the Prayer a lot, we live in a Generation full of deceivement, so be very careful and mindful who you break Bread with. Don’t stop praying. Amen!!

  • Benedict says:

    It has not been easy for me. I am a seminarian who has finished his studies for the priesthood. But right now I am waiting and anticipating ordination. There are a whole lot of problems that is working against the ceremony. I feel so much down and almost giving up. My issues are many. I am just left like that wandering like a vagus. Plsssssssss beloved prayer for me. I need help. Thanks.


  • >