Homily: July 11 2016 - St. Benedict - Holy Protector against Satan

 A few years ago, one Saturday morning before going to pray at the Abortion Clinics on Shaker Blvd. I was attending Mass at St. Andrew’s Abbey, the Benedictine Monastery here in Cleveland. And after Mass, a holy old Benedictine monk came up to me and placed in my hand a blessed St. Benedict medal and a holy card.  He told me to pray it every day for protection against evil.

One side of the medal bears an image of St. Benedict, holding a cross in the right hand and the Holy Rule in the left. On the one side of the image is a cup, on the other a raven, and above the cup and the raven are inscribed the words: “Crux Sancti Patris Benedicti” (Cross of the Holy Father Benedict). Around the margin of the medal are the words “Ejus in obitu nostro praesentia muniamur” (May we at our death be fortified by his presence).

The reverse of the medal bears a cross with the initial letters of the words: “Crux Sacra Sit Mihi Lux, Non Draco Sit Mihi Dux” (The Holy Cross be my light, Let not the dragon be my guide).

The morning I received the medal, the holy monk emphasized the powerful prayer on the around the backside of the medal: “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 offer, drink thou thy own poison).

Jesus himself taught us to pray for deliverance from evil in the Lord's Prayer.  

Promises attached to the medal include:

1. To destroy witchcraft and all other diabolical and haunting influences;
2. To impart protection to persons tempted, deluded, or tormented by evil spirits;
3. To obtain the conversion of sinners into the Catholic Church, especially when they are in danger of death;
4. To serve as an armor against temptation;
5. To destroy the effects of poison;
6. To secure a timely and healthy birth for children;
7. To afford protection against storms and lightning;
8. To serve as an efficacious remedy for bodily afflictions and a means of protection against contagious diseases.

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 one rule about the St. Benedict Medal is that it be properly blessed.

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 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 to turn away from the deceits of the devil.

St. Benedict has been for countless Christians, a Holy Protector against the devil and his evil works. May we know his constant aid and intercession, engaged as we are in our constant spiritual battle for the glory of God and salvation of souls.