Review of the book The Cross and Medal of Saint Benedict: A Mystical Sign of Divine Power translated by Fr. Robert Nixon, OSB
Is there a saint you have heard about but never dived into learning more about? For me, St. Benedict is one of those saints. I am familiar with the story of his sister, Saint Scholastica, asking God to prevent him from returning home when he refused to stay with her to continue talking about God during one of their infrequent visits together. Let’s just say God answered her prayers in a big way.
When I found out about The Cross and Medal of Saint Benedict, translated by Fr. Robert Nixon, OSB, I was happy for the oppurnity to learn more about this saint that I have been curious about. Just as the title indicates, the book is about St. Benedict’s cross and medal. It explains what they are, what they mean, and why they are important. But it contains more.
You may have noticed that the book is translated by Fr. Robert Nixon, OSB. That is because he uses works by St. Gregory the Great, Saint Louis the Pious-Holy Roman Emperor, St. Bernard of Clairvaux, and many others to share with us about St. Benedict and the medal. Some of the writings included in the book date back to the 500’s.
The Cross and Medal of Saint Benedict gives a brief biography of St. Benedict and some details about the Benedictines as well. Did you know that there are over 15,ooo Benedictine saints?! Yes, over 15,000. That is not a typo. In the early 1330’s there were 15,559 documented Benedictine saints. Clearly, St. Benedict had left us with an incredible legacy that continues to this day, over 1400 years later.
How is this cross and medal important to our Catholic faith?
The Cross and Medal of Saint Benedict explains the history that is known and some of the miracles of the cross and medal. When an area was found to be protected from evil spirits and witchcraft, people took notice and investigated. Documents were found and searched to find out the history of the medal and its meaning.
Since then, the medal has continued to prove to be miraculous. Fr. Robert Nixon, OSB shares just some of the many recorded miracles related to the medal. Evil curses have been broken, lives saved, and people healed of ailments and fatal diseases. Even animals have been healed. A brickmaker’s suddenly inconsistent oven began working properly once again due to faith and the medal.
What is this cross and medal of St. Benedict?
The medal has an image of St. Benedict on one side and a cross on the other. It may be simple, but it is powerful. It is powerful because of the significance of the engravings in it.
In the corners of the cross are the letters CSPB: Crux Sancti Patris Benedicti. This is Cross of (our) Holy Father Benedict.
On the cross are the letters CSSML: Crux Sacra Sit Mihi Lux and NDSMD: Non Draco Sit Mihi Dux. These mean for May the Holy Cross be light to me. May the Dragon not be a leader to me.
Around the edges of the medal are the letters VRSNSMV: Vade Retro Sathana Numquam Suade Mihi Vana and SMQLIVB: Sunt Mala Quae Libas Ipse Venena Bibas. These mean Get behind me, Satan: Never persuade me (to do) vain things. What you like is evil; May you yourself drink (your) venom!
These are very powerful words. They ask for God’s guidance and protection.
The Cross and Medal of Saint Benedict also shares the prayer of blessing a priest can say for a St. Benedict medal. The difference between a medal that is blessed and a medal that is not blessed is explained. It also explains what is asked of a person who wears a medal that is blessed.
Learning to appreciate God even more through St. Benedict
When we read The Cross and Medal of Saint Benedict, we come to learn more about St. Benedict, the medal, and can appreciate even more the great love God has for us.
God is so good. There are great saints like St. Benedict who inspire us to live lives that will draw us closer to God. Books that share with us more about the saints help us to have a greater hunger for God in our own lives. At least they do for me.
May we be inspired by St. Benedict, his holy life, and his faith in our great God so we may work to draw closer to God in our own lives.
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The Cross and Medal of Saint Benedict is a great book for everyone.
If you want to learn more about the significance of the cross and medal of St Benedict, the benefits of having one, the history of the medal, plus about St. Benedict himself, The Cross and Medal of Saint Benedict is a great book for you to read.
The Cross and Medal of Saint Benedict is available in print at these retailers:
Tan Books: The Cross and Medal of Saint Benedict
Amazon: The Cross and Medal of Saint Benedict
Learn more about the medal of St. Benedict
Fr. Boniface Hicks, OSB explains the medal of St. Benedict in this short video with Matt Fradd.
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