The Medal That Exorcists Still Use Today
The St. Benedict Medal is one of the most recognized, most powerful, and most misunderstood sacramentals in the Catholic Church. Millions of Catholics wear it around their neck, hang it above their doorway, attach it to their rosary, or embed it in the crucifix on their wall — but most cannot explain what the letters on the medal mean, where the medal came from, or why the Church considers it one of the most effective weapons against evil. This guide tells the full story — the history, the meaning of every symbol and inscription, the Latin prayers decoded letter by letter, and the proper way to have a St. Benedict Medal blessed.
Who Was St. Benedict?
St. Benedict of Nursia (c. 480–547 AD) is the father of Western monasticism and one of the most influential figures in the history of the Catholic Church. Born into a noble Roman family in the town of Nursia (modern-day Norcia, Italy), he was sent to Rome for his education but was so disgusted by the moral corruption of the city that he withdrew to a cave in Subiaco, where he lived as a hermit for three years. His holiness attracted followers, and he eventually founded twelve monasteries in the region before establishing his most famous community at Monte Cassino, where he wrote the Rule of St. Benedict — the document that would govern Catholic monastic life for the next 1,500 years.
The Rule of St. Benedict is built on three pillars: prayer, work, and community. The motto Ora et Labora — "Pray and Work" — summarizes the Benedictine way of life. Benedict's monks divided their day between the Divine Office (the Liturgy of the Hours), manual labor, and sacred reading. This rhythm of prayer and work became the foundation of Western civilization itself — Benedictine monasteries preserved literacy, agriculture, art, music, and scholarship through the Dark Ages and laid the groundwork for the universities, hospitals, and cultural institutions that followed. Pope Paul VI declared St. Benedict the patron saint of Europe in 1964.
But it is Benedict's personal encounters with evil — and his victories over it — that gave rise to the medal that bears his name.
The Origin of the St. Benedict Medal
The Medal of St. Benedict did not appear suddenly. It evolved over centuries from the devotion of Benedictine monks who experienced the power of the cross and St. Benedict's intercession against demonic attack. The earliest known image of the medal dates to a 1415 manuscript, but the tradition behind it is much older.
According to the life of St. Benedict recorded by Pope St. Gregory the Great in his Dialogues (written around 593 AD), Benedict's life was marked by repeated attacks from the devil — and repeated victories through the power of the cross. In one famous episode, jealous monks attempted to poison Benedict. When he made the Sign of the Cross over the poisoned cup, it shattered in his hands. In another, a poisoned loaf of bread was brought to him, and a raven carried it away at his command. These events are depicted on the medal itself and gave rise to the tradition that the Sign of the Cross, invoked through the intercession of St. Benedict, is a powerful defense against evil.
The modern form of the medal was struck in 1880 to commemorate the 1400th anniversary of Benedict's birth, and it was approved by Pope Leo XIII. The design standardized the symbols and inscriptions that had been associated with Benedictine devotion for centuries.
The Front of the Medal: Every Symbol Explained
The front of the St. Benedict Medal depicts the saint himself, standing in the center. In his right hand he holds a cross — the weapon against evil that defined his life. In his left hand he holds the Holy Rule, the document that still governs Benedictine life today. To his right is a cup, from which a serpent emerges — representing the poisoned wine that shattered when Benedict blessed it. To his left is a raven carrying a loaf of bread — the poisoned bread that the raven removed at his command. Below his feet is the inscription EX S M CASINO MDCCCLXXX — "From Holy Monte Cassino, 1880" — identifying the medal as the commemorative edition struck for Benedict's 1400th anniversary. Around the outer rim is the inscription: CRUX S. PATRIS BENEDICTI — "The Cross of the Holy Father Benedict."
The Back of the Medal: The Latin Exorcism Prayer Decoded
The reverse of the St. Benedict Medal is where its reputation as the "devil-chasing medal" comes from. Every letter is an abbreviation of a Latin prayer — and when you know what the letters mean, the medal transforms from a piece of religious jewelry into a spoken weapon against evil.
At the center of the reverse is a large cross. On the vertical beam, from top to bottom, are the letters C S S M L. On the horizontal beam, from left to right, are the letters N D S M D. Together, these spell out:
C.S.S.M.L. — Crux Sacra Sit Mihi Lux — "May the Holy Cross be my light."
N.D.S.M.D. — Non Draco Sit Mihi Dux — "Let not the dragon be my guide."
These two lines form a declaration: the cross of Christ is my source of guidance and protection — not the devil. They are a personal act of spiritual warfare compressed into ten letters.
Around the outer rim of the reverse, starting at the top and moving clockwise, are the letters V R S N S M V – S M Q L I V B. These abbreviate:
V.R.S.N.S.M.V. — Vade Retro Satana, Nunquam Suade Mihi Vana — "Begone, Satan! Never tempt me with your vanities."
S.M.Q.L.I.V.B. — Sunt Mala Quae Libas, Ipse Venena Bibas — "What you offer me is evil. Drink the poison yourself."
Read together, the full prayer on the reverse of the medal is: "May the Holy Cross be my light. Let not the dragon be my guide. Begone, Satan! Never tempt me with your vanities. What you offer me is evil. Drink the poison yourself."
At the very top of the reverse is the word PAX — "Peace" — the motto of the Benedictine order. This is not an accidental placement. The medal begins with the declaration of peace and ends with the command for Satan to depart. The message is: the peace of Christ is the first word, and it will be the last.
How to Use the St. Benedict Medal
Catholics use the St. Benedict Medal in dozens of ways, all rooted in the belief that the medal — once blessed by a priest — is a powerful sacramental against evil, temptation, and spiritual attack.
Wear it. The most common use is wearing the medal on a chain around the neck. A St. Benedict medal necklace in sterling silver or gold filled keeps the protection of the medal with you throughout the day — at work, at school, during travel, and during sleep.
Hang it in your home. Many Catholic families place a St. Benedict medal above their front door, above bedroom doors, or in the four corners of their property as a prayer of protection over the household. A St. Benedict crucifix on the wall combines the protection of the medal with the sacrifice of Christ on the cross — the most powerful combination of sacramentals a Catholic home can display.
Attach it to a rosary. St. Benedict rosaries feature the medal at the center, where the decades meet. Every time you pray a decade, your fingers pass over the medal — a physical reminder that the Rosary and the protection of St. Benedict work together.
Carry it. Keep a St. Benedict medal in your wallet, your car, your pocket, or your desk drawer. Some Catholics bury a blessed medal in the foundation of a new home or at the four corners of their property.
Place it on a home altar. A standing St. Benedict crucifix on your home altar makes the Benedictine tradition of protection the centerpiece of your daily prayer space.
How to Have a St. Benedict Medal Blessed
The St. Benedict Medal must be blessed by a priest to function as a sacramental. The blessing is a specific formula found in the Roman Ritual, and it is one of the more detailed blessings in the Church — reflecting the seriousness with which the Church treats this medal. Any Catholic priest can perform the blessing. Simply bring your medal — whether it is a standalone medal, a medal on a necklace, a medal embedded in a crucifix, or a medal on a rosary — to your parish priest and ask him to bless it. Most priests are happy to do so and can perform the blessing in a few minutes.
An unblessed St. Benedict Medal is still a devotional object, but it does not carry the sacramental power of a blessed one. The blessing is what transforms it from religious jewelry into a weapon of spiritual protection. Do not skip this step.
Why Exorcists Use the St. Benedict Medal
The St. Benedict Medal is one of the sacramentals most frequently used by Catholic exorcists. The prayers inscribed on the medal — "Vade Retro Satana" — are among the oldest and most recognized prayers of exorcism in the Church. Exorcist priests report that the medal, when blessed and used with faith, is effective in cases of demonic oppression, obsession, and temptation. Fr. Gabriele Amorth, the Vatican's chief exorcist for over 30 years, spoke frequently about the power of the St. Benedict Medal and recommended that every Catholic wear one. The medal is not a magic talisman — it is a prayer in metal, and its power comes from the faith of the person who wears it and the grace of the Church that blesses it.
Bring St. Benedict Into Your Home and Your Daily Life
Whether you are drawn to the Benedictine tradition of prayer and discipline, seeking spiritual protection for your home and family, or simply looking for a meaningful Catholic gift — the St. Benedict Medal is one of the most time-tested and powerful sacramentals in the Church.
Browse our full collection of St. Benedict medal necklaces in sterling silver, gold filled, and 14kt gold. Explore St. Benedict rosaries with the medal built into every decade. Display a St. Benedict crucifix in your home for daily protection. Or start small with a laminated prayer card featuring the prayer of St. Benedict in your wallet.
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