The Shield and St. Benedict Medal

The Shield and the Two Swords

This icon is found on the front cover of the best-selling Catholic book, Champions of the Rosary by Fr. Donald Calloway, MIC. The image of each of these parts comes from:

The Shield – “…the shield of faith” (Eph 6:16)
The Swords – “and the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God.” (Eph 6:17)
The Rosary – at the center of the shield - is put there because St. Padre Pio said: “her rosary is the weapon against the evils of the world today.”

The symbol was composed by St. Louis de Monfort (1716 AD). He was a Mariologist and his writings have been read and recommended by every Pope since he passed away. The symbol means “to Jesus through Mary.” The Blessed Virgin Mary stood at the feet of Jesus at the foot of the cross. It’s in John 19:25-26 “Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son.”

The St. Benedict’s Medal

The symbol of the St. Benedict’s Medal comes from St. Benedict of Nursia (547 AD),
the patron saint of exorcisms.

The medal is a prayer of exorcism against Satan through the intercession of St. Benedict. It’s a prayer for strength in time of temptation; a prayer for peace among ourselves and among the nations of the world; a prayer that the Cross of Christ be our light and guide; a prayer of firm rejection of all that is evil; and a prayer of petition that we may with Christian courage “walk in God’s ways, with the Gospel as our guide.”

The medal is dominated by a central cross. At the top of the cross is the word “pax,” which is Latin for “peace.” This is the greeting and motto of the Benedictine Order. All around the cross, from each side, are four large letters: C. S. P. B. (Crux Sancti Patris Benedicti, or “Cross of the Holy Father Benedict”). In the vertical line of the cross are also initial letters of a Latin prayer, “Crux sacra sit mihi lux! Nunquam draco sit mihi dux!” as follows:

• S. S. M. L. (Crux Sacra Sit Mihi Lux): “The Holy Cross be my light”

In the horizontal line of the cross:

• D. S. M. D. (Non Draco Sit Mihi Dux) “May the dragon never be my guide!”

Starting from the top, in a clockwise direction, and around the edge appear the initials of the prayer of exorcism:

1. V. R. S. (Vade Retro Satan): “Get away, Satan.”
2. N. S. M. V. (Not Suade Mihi Vana): “Never tempt me with your vanities!”
3. S. M. Q. L. (Sunt Mala Quae Libas): “What you offer me is evil.”
4. I. V. B. (Ipse Venena Bibas): “Drink the poison yourself!”

The medal itself does not have power, and to believe so would be an un-Christian act of superstition. Rather, the medal is a visible sign of the inner devotion and faith of the believer in Jesus Christ and in his servant, St. Benedict, who acts by faith. There is a plenary indulgence granted to anyone who, at the hour of death, “uses, kisses, or holds the blessed medal between the hands with veneration.” The indulgence is also granted if the person entrusts his soul to God, makes a good confession, and receives Holy Communion.