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The Jubilee Medal of St. Benedict
The power of St. Benedict is revealed in this small object that has been fostered by his spiritual sons many years. Marvelous is the aid
which the St. Benedict Medal affords to its devout wearers in the manifold necessities of soul and body. On this account the Medal is
well known and widely used throughout the Christian world; everywhere it is regarded as a highly favored object of devotion.
Origin and Explanation of the Medal:
St. Benedict (born at Nursia, Italy, in 480) had a profound veneration for the holy Cross and for our Saviour Crucified. In virtue
of the Sign of the Cross, he wrought many miracles and exercised great power over the spirits of darkness. In consequence of the great
veneration in which St. Benedict was held from the early Middle Ages, it followed that a Medal was struck, one side of which represents
St. Benedict holding the Cross in one hand and the Holy Rule in the other. Around the image of St. Benedict are these words in Latin
"May his presence protect us in the hour of death." St. Benedict has ever been the patron of the dying, because of the circumstances
attending his own most glorious death, for he breathed forth his soul while standing in prayer before the Most Blessed Sacrament.
The reverse of the Medal shows the image of the Cross. Around the margin are the initials of Latin words which form verses
supposed to have originated with the holy Father Benedict himself. The English translation is: "Be gone Satan! Suggest not to me thy
vain things. The cup thou profferest me is evil; drink thou thy poison." In the angles formed by the arms of the Cross are the letters
C.S.P.B., signifying "Cross of the holy Father Benedict." The letters on the Cross itself have this meaning: "May the holy Cross be my
light; let not the dragon be my guide."
Use:
No special way of carrying or applying the Medal is prescribed. It may be worn about the neck, attached to the scapular or the
Rosary, or otherwise carried about one's person.
Often it is placed in the fields, the foundations of buildings or attached to automobiles to call down God's blessing and the
protection of St. Benedict. No particular prayer is prescribed, as the devout wearing itself is a continual silent prayer.
The Medal of St. Benedict is one of the Sacramentals of the Church, and as such it must be used. The value and power of the
Medal must be ascribed to the merits of Christ Crucified, to the efficacious prayers of St. Benedict, to the blessing of the Church, and
especially to the faith and holy disposition of the person using the Medal.
Prayer to St. Benedict:
O glorious St. Benedict, sublime model of all virtues, pure vessel of God's grace! Behold me, humbly kneeling at thy feet. I implore
thy loving heart to pray for me before the throne of God. To thee I have recourse in all the dangers which daily surround me. Shield
me against my enemies, inspire me to imitate thee in all things. May thy blessing be with me always, so that I may shun whatever God
forbids and avoid the occasions of sin.
Graciously obtain for me from God those favors and graces of which I stand so much in need, in the trials, miseries and afflictions
of life. Thy heart was always so full of love, compassion, and mercy towards those who were afflicted or troubled in any way. Thou didst
never dismiss without consolation and assistance anyone who had re-course to thee. I therefore invoke thy powerful intercession, in the
confident hope that thou wilt hear my prayers and obtain for me the special grace and favor I so earnestly implore (mention it), if it be
for the greater glory of God and the welfare of my soul.
Help me, O great St. Benedict, to live and die as a faithful child of God, to be ever submissive to His holy will, and to attain the
eternal happiness of heaven. Amen.
Gift Shop
On behalf of Sister Dulce and all of us at "Shepherd's Staff Gift Shop", we thank you for your
support in 2015. Because of you, Sister Dulce is able to continue her mission to minister
to the sick and dying at Cypress Springs Mercedarian Prayer Center. We pray that every gift
purchase brought you blessings of joy, peace and a reminder of God's presence in our lives.
Please know that Sister Dulce, the Mercedarian Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, and all of the
Prayer Partners have you in their prayers.
"Shepherd's Staff Gift Shop" wishes you a blessed and prosperous 2016!
HOURS: Monday-Thursday 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
(Open before and after Women’s Spirituality Class)