Four Way & Five Way Medal Necklaces | Catholic Protection in Sterling Silver & Gold

A Four Way Medal is a cross-shaped Catholic pendant that combines four powerful devotions into one medal. The four images are the Sacred Heart of Jesus (top), the Miraculous Medal (bottom), St. Joseph (left), and St. Christopher (right). Most Four Way Medals also carry the inscription 'I am a Catholic, please call a priest' on the reverse, alerting first responders to call a priest for the Last Rites in an emergency. The medal originated as a convenient way to wear four individual devotional medals without needing separate chains for each one.

A Four Way Medal features four devotional images on the arms of a cross: the Sacred Heart of Jesus, St. Joseph, St. Christopher, and the Miraculous Medal. A Five Way Medal adds a fifth image in the center of the cross — typically a dove representing the Holy Spirit. Some Five Way Medal variations feature a chalice instead of a dove, making them especially appropriate for First Communion gifts. Both medals carry the same reverse inscription and serve the same devotional purpose — the Five Way simply includes one additional devotion.

This inscription on the reverse of most Four Way and Five Way Medals serves a practical and spiritual purpose. In an emergency — an accident, sudden illness, or life-threatening situation — the inscription alerts first responders, hospital staff, or bystanders that the wearer is Catholic and wishes to receive the Last Rites (Anointing of the Sick) from a priest. Receiving the Last Rites provides sacramental grace, forgiveness of sins, and spiritual strength for the passage from this life to the next. This inscription makes the Four Way Medal one of the most important pieces of Catholic devotional jewelry.

The four images on a standard Four Way Medal are the Sacred Heart of Jesus (representing Christ's infinite love and sacrifice), St. Joseph (patron of the universal Church, fathers, and workers — shown holding the Child Jesus and a lily), St. Christopher (patron of travelers — depicted carrying the Christ Child across a river), and the Miraculous Medal (representing the Blessed Virgin Mary as she appeared to St. Catherine Labouré in Paris in 1830). A dove representing the Holy Spirit often appears in the center, and the reverse shows Our Lady of Mt. Carmel with the inscription 'I am a Catholic, please call a priest.'

Yes — the Four Way Medal is one of the most popular and meaningful Confirmation gifts. Because Confirmation centers on the gifts of the Holy Spirit, the Five Way Medal (which includes a Holy Spirit dove at the center) is an especially fitting choice. The medal combines devotion to the Sacred Heart, the Blessed Mother, St. Joseph, and St. Christopher into one piece — giving the newly confirmed Catholic a complete devotional sacramental they can wear daily. Available in sterling silver, 14kt gold filled, and 14kt solid gold to suit any gift budget.

Sterling silver Four Way Medals are made from .925 solid sterling silver — a precious metal that's durable, beautiful, and naturally resistant to corrosion. 14kt gold filled medals have a thick layer of 14-karat gold permanently bonded to a jeweler's brass core. Gold filled is not gold plated — it contains 50 to 100 times more gold than plating, so it won't tarnish, peel, or fade even with years of daily wear. Both options are made in the USA by Bliss Manufacturing and carry a lifetime guarantee against manufacturing defects. 14kt solid gold medals are also available as heirloom-quality pieces.

Yes, under certain conditions. The Catholic Church permits a properly blessed Scapular Medal to be worn in place of the cloth Brown Scapular. Since many Four Way Medals include the Scapular Medal (Sacred Heart on front, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel on back) as one of their four devotions, a blessed Four Way Medal can fulfill this function. However, the medal must be specifically blessed with the Scapular blessing by a priest — a general blessing is not sufficient. The wearer must also have been properly enrolled in the Brown Scapular by a priest before switching to the medal form.

Our Four Way and Five Way Medals come in three general sizes. Small medals (approximately 1/2 to 3/4 inch) are subtle and lightweight, ideal for women and children or for wearing under clothing. Medium medals (approximately 3/4 to 1 inch) are the most popular all-purpose size, suitable for both men and women. Large medals (approximately 1 to 1-3/8 inches) make a bold devotional statement and are especially popular for men and as display-quality gifts. Necklaces come with 18-inch chains (standard for women) or 24-inch chains (standard for men).

Yes. All of our Four Way and Five Way medal necklaces and pendants are handcrafted in the USA by Bliss Manufacturing, a family-owned company producing religious jewelry since 1912. Every medal is die-struck from solid sterling silver, 14kt gold filled, or 14kt solid gold, then hand-polished and individually inspected. Bliss medals come with a lifetime guarantee against tarnishing or manufacturing defects — if any medal shows defects, it will be repaired or replaced at no cost.

Yes. Like any Catholic sacramental, a Four Way or Five Way Medal can and should be blessed by a Catholic priest or deacon. Once blessed, the medal carries the spiritual graces of the Church's prayer, making it more than jewelry — it becomes a true sacramental for divine protection. If the medal includes a Scapular Medal and you wish it to serve in place of a cloth Brown Scapular, ask the priest for the specific Scapular blessing. Our medals are not pre-blessed, as selling blessed items is considered simony under Catholic canon law, but they arrive ready for blessing.