The St. Benedict Medal is a Christian sacramental medal containing symbols and text related to the life of St. Benedict of Nursia. The medal is one of the oldest and most honored medals and due to the belief in its power against evil is also known as the "devil-chasing medal". The medal is used by Roman Catholics to ward off spiritual and physical dangers, especially those related to evil, poison, and temptation.
This completely customizable bangle bracelet features Protect Me charm along with praying hands, a tiny crucifix, Miraculous Medal, St. Michael, Four-Way Medal, Head of Christ, and is perfect for everyday wear as well as a gift or give-aways.
Iconic Attraction
The first medals were made in 1832 and distributed throughout Paris. According to the Association of the Miraculous Medal, the blessings that Mary promised "began to shower down" on wearers of the medal. The devotion spread rapidly. In 1836, a Church investigation declared the apparitions to be genuine.
Since Mary asked Catherine to have the medal struck, devotion to the Miraculous Medal has spread the world over, the image having achieved iconic stature.
But what does the medal mean? In answering that, one discovers why it works.
- Miraculous Medal
The Front Side
• Mary stands on a globe, crushing a serpent beneath her feet. Describing the original vision, Catherine said the Blessed Mother appeared radiant as a sunrise, "in all her perfect beauty."
• Rays shoot out from Mary's hands, which she told Catherine, "... symbolize the graces I shed upon those who ask for them."
• Words from the vision form an oval frame around Mary: "O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee."
Seen as a matrix, the elements of the front design encapsulate major Marian tenets:
Quality of Our Lady As Illustrated by the Medal
• Mother — Her open arms, the "recourse" we have in her.
• Immaculate — The words, "conceived without sin."
• Assumed into Heaven — She stands on the globe.
• Mediatrix — Rays from her hands symbolizing "graces."
• Our Protection — Crushes the serpent (Gn 3:15).
The Reverse Side
• A cross-and-bar surmounts a large, bold "M."
• 12 stars disperse around the perimeter.
• Two hearts are depicted underneath the "M," the left lapped with a crown of thorns, the right skewed by a sword. From each, a flame emanates from the top. Again, employing a grid analysis, we can see how the reverse-side design contains great symbolism reflecting major tenets of the Catholic faith.
Design Element and its Catholic Meaning
• The large letter "M" — Mary as Mother, Mediatrix.
• Cross and bar — Jesus' Cross of Redemption.
• 12 stars — 12 Apostles, who formed the first Church.
• Left Heart — The Sacred Heart, who died for our sins.
• Right Heart — The Immaculate Heart, who intercedes for us.
• Flames — The burning love Jesus and Mary have for us.
Material: Zinc Alloy/Crystal
Size: 7-1/2" Adjustable
You will receive 1 church blessed bracelet <3