From the desk of the Tar Heel disciple:
March 10, 2026 (#82)
The Legacy of St. Benedict-Part II: The Medal
Much of what we know about Saint Benedict comes from the writings of Pope St. Gregory the Great (died 604 AD), who prior to being elected to the papacy, himself followed The Rule of Saint Benedict, that is, the way of life that Benedict wrote for monks. In this latter document, consisting of 73 short chapters, the “Father of Western Monasticism,” lays out, in spiritual, administrative, and organizational terms, a way of communal life for men living under the authority of an abbot in a monastery. For many centuries, this way of life has been noted for its ascetical moderation, thus making it attractive for a great diversity of people in numerous cultures and civilizations.
In more recent years, many people who perhaps know little of the life of Saint Benedict and perhaps even less of his Rule, have come to be acquainted with the so-called “Saint Benedict medal,” a popular sacramental in the life of the Church. The now well known “Jubilee St. Benedict Medal” (see above) was struck in 1880 to commemorate the 14th centenary of the birth of the saint. The medal is notable for its various initials of Latin words in addition to the iconography which draws attention to aspects of Benedict's life. While the exact imagery of the medal is of unknown origin, a manuscript from 1415 explains the meaning of several of the series of initials. It is not known when the first medal was made, though it was clearly approved by Pope Benedict XIV in the mid-eighteenth century.
The following website page, with its clear detailed images, is particularly helpful in identifying and explaining the meaning of the various images, symbols, and initials found on the medal. This same page also includes a formula for blessing of the medal, which can be done by a Catholic priest:
The St. Benedict medal and other related material can be found at:
https://inhisname.com/search?options%5Bprefix%5D=last&q=St.+Benedict
