Catholic National Guard Medals | St. Michael & Patron Saint Necklaces – Rosarycard.net

St. Michael the Archangel is the primary patron saint of all military personnel, including the National Guard. As the commander of God's heavenly army who cast Satan out of heaven, St. Michael embodies the vigilance and readiness that define National Guard service. Additional patron saints meaningful to Guard members include the Guardian Angel (a personal divine protector for servicemembers and their families), St. Joan of Arc (a civilian called from ordinary life to military service — mirroring the Guard experience), and St. Sebastian (a Roman soldier who balanced military duty with Christian ministry).

Our Catholic National Guard medals are double-sided pendants. The front features the image of a patron saint — most commonly St. Michael the Archangel, the Guardian Angel, St. Joan of Arc, or St. Sebastian — along with the saint's name and a prayer inscription. The reverse features the official National Guard insignia. The medals are die-struck from solid sterling silver or 14kt gold filled, hand-polished, and come on a durable chain (18-inch or 24-inch) ready to wear. Each medal arrives in a gift box.

National Guard members live a dual civilian-military life — serving their communities as teachers, nurses, and first responders while standing ready to deploy at a moment's notice. This unique vocation makes a Catholic saint medal especially meaningful because it bridges both worlds. The medal accompanies the Guard member through normal workdays, drill weekends at the armory, and deployments overseas. St. Michael and the Guardian Angel are the most popular choices because their protection applies to every aspect of this dual calling, not just the military side.

Yes. All of our National Guard medals come in styles suitable for both men and women, with 18-inch chains (standard for women) and 24-inch chains (standard for men). St. Joan of Arc is a particularly meaningful patron saint choice for women in the National Guard — she was a civilian teenager called from ordinary life to lead an army, embodying the same transition Guard members make when activated for duty. The Guardian Angel medal is also a popular choice for women, as is St. Michael the Archangel.

The most popular choice for a Guard member receiving deployment or mobilization orders is a St. Michael the Archangel medal with the National Guard insignia on the reverse. Deployment is the most emotionally significant moment for Guard families — it's when 'part-time service' becomes very real. A St. Michael medal provides tangible spiritual protection during the transition from civilian life to an active combat zone or overseas mission. Many families pair a military medal with a men's wood rosary as a complete spiritual care package — the rosary for daily prayer and the medal for constant protection.

Yes. Military regulations permit Guard members to wear religious jewelry and medals beneath their uniform as long as they don't present a safety hazard or show above the neckline. Many Catholic Guard members wear their saint medal tucked inside their shirt during drill weekends, annual training, and deployments. The medal provides constant spiritual protection whether in civilian clothes during the week or in uniform on duty. Choose a 24-inch chain for comfortable wear under body armor and combat uniforms during mobilizations.

Yes. Our Guardian Angel National Guard medal features the Guardian Angel on the front and the official National Guard insignia on the reverse. Catholic teaching holds that God assigns a guardian angel to every person for protection and guidance throughout life. This medal is especially popular as a gift from parents and spouses — it reminds both the Guard member and the family at home that a divine protector accompanies their loved one from the dinner table to the drill hall to wherever the mission leads. Available in sterling silver and 14kt gold filled.

Catholic National Guard medals mark milestones across a service journey that often spans decades. Popular gift occasions include enlistment or commissioning, completion of Basic Training (at Fort Jackson, Fort Moore, Fort Sill, or Lackland AFB for Air Guard), first drill weekend at their home unit, mobilization or deployment orders, return from deployment, promotion in rank, retirement from the Guard (often after 20+ years), Veterans Day and Memorial Day, and Christmas or birthdays for Guard members activated away from home.

Sterling silver medals are made from .925 solid sterling silver — a precious metal that's durable, naturally resistant to corrosion, and develops a subtle patina with wear. Gold filled medals (14kt gold filled) have a thick layer of 14-karat gold permanently bonded to a jeweler's brass core. Gold filled contains 50 to 100 times more gold than gold plating, which means it won't tarnish, peel, or fade even with years of daily wear. Both options are made in the USA by Bliss Manufacturing and come with a lifetime guarantee against manufacturing defects.

Yes. Like any Catholic sacramental, a National Guard saint medal can be blessed by any Catholic priest or deacon. Simply bring the medal to your parish after Mass or call the rectory to arrange a time. Military chaplains can also bless medals at unit chapels, during drill weekends, or before deployment ceremonies. Once blessed, the medal carries the spiritual graces of the Church's prayer — making it a true sacramental for divine protection. Our medals are not pre-blessed, as selling blessed items is considered simony under Catholic canon law, but they arrive ready for blessing.