St. Benedict Crucifixes

The St. Benedict crucifix is the most powerful devotional crucifix in the Catholic tradition. It combines two sacramentals into one — the crucifix of Christ and the Medal of St. Benedict — creating a sacred object that carries both the saving power of the cross and the exorcism prayers of the Benedictine order. It is the crucifix preferred by exorcists, the crucifix traditionally held by the dying (earning it the name "Happy Death Crucifix"), and the crucifix that Catholic families display for spiritual protection against evil in their homes.

Our collection includes St. Benedict wall crucifixes, standing table crucifixes, and sick call sets in cherry wood, walnut, black wood, resin, and enamel designs — ranging from 8-inch bedroom pieces to large 13-inch altar crucifixes. Many feature hand-painted Italian corpuses with the St. Benedict medal set behind Christ's head at the center of the cross, and the full Latin exorcism inscriptions — CSSML, NDSMD, VRSNSMV, SMQLIVB — engraved on the medal or embossed along the arms. Several designs are handcrafted by RosaryCard in the USA.

Every letter on the St. Benedict medal is a weapon. The initials on the cross stand for "Crux Sacra Sit Mihi Lux, Nunquam Draco Sit Mihi Dux" — May the Holy Cross be my light, may the dragon never be my guide. Around the edge: "Vade Retro Satana, Nunquam Suade Mihi Vana, Sunt Mala Quae Libas, Ipse Venena Bibas" — Begone Satan! Never tempt me with your vanities. What you offer me is evil. Drink your own poison! No other saint medal in the Catholic Church contains an exorcism prayer as part of its design.

Browse our St. Benedict Rosaries for prayer beads with the St. Benedict medal, our Wall Crucifixes for other crucifix styles, or our Sick Call Set Crucifixes for sacramental sets with candles. Free shipping on U.S. orders over $40.
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Frequently Asked Questions

What is a St. Benedict crucifix?

A St. Benedict crucifix is a Catholic crucifix that incorporates the Medal of St. Benedict into the cross design — typically set behind Christ's head at the center of the cross. It combines two powerful sacramentals into one: the crucifix of Christ and the exorcism prayer of St. Benedict. The medal bears six groups of Latin initials that form a prayer against evil, including the famous 'Vade Retro Satana' (Begone Satan). It is the only crucifix in the Catholic tradition that contains a built-in exorcism prayer, making it the most powerful devotional crucifix available.

What do the letters on the St. Benedict medal mean?

The Latin initials on the St. Benedict medal form a complete prayer against evil. On the cross: CSSML means 'Crux Sacra Sit Mihi Lux' (May the Holy Cross be my light) and NDSMD means 'Nunquam Draco Sit Mihi Dux' (May the dragon never be my guide). In the four quadrants: CSPB means 'Crux Sancti Patris Benedicti' (The Cross of our Holy Father Benedict). Around the edge: VRSNSMV means 'Vade Retro Satana, Nunquam Suade Mihi Vana' (Begone Satan, never tempt me with your vanities) and SMQLIVB means 'Sunt Mala Quae Libas, Ipse Venena Bibas' (What you offer is evil, drink your own poison). PAX at the top means 'Peace' — the Benedictine motto.

Why is the St. Benedict crucifix called the Happy Death Crucifix?

St. Benedict is the patron saint of a happy death — the Catholic hope of dying in a state of grace, reconciled with God. Catholic tradition holds that a person's final hours are a time of intense spiritual battle, with strong temptations to despair and fear. The St. Benedict crucifix, with its exorcism prayer built into the medal, is the traditional crucifix held before a dying person's eyes or placed in their hands during this final struggle. The 'Happy Death Indulgence' is a plenary indulgence gained by holding a blessed crucifix while making an act of contrition at the moment of death.

Why do exorcists use the St. Benedict crucifix?

The St. Benedict crucifix is the preferred crucifix of exorcists because it is the only crucifix that contains an exorcism prayer as part of its design. The Medal of St. Benedict — set into the center of the cross — bears the Latin initials of a prayer that directly commands Satan to depart. Combined with the cross of Christ (the instrument of Satan's ultimate defeat), the St. Benedict crucifix is the most complete spiritual weapon against demonic forces in the Catholic sacramental tradition. The special Benedictine blessing for the medal adds further exorcistic power.

What styles of St. Benedict crucifixes do you carry?

Our collection includes three formats: wall crucifixes (cherry wood, walnut, black wood, resin, and enamel designs for hanging in your home), standing table crucifixes (for prayer corners, desks, nightstands, and home altars), and sick call sets (combining the St. Benedict crucifix with candles and a holy water bottle for the Anointing of the Sick). Sizes range from 8 inches to 13 inches and larger. Many feature hand-painted Italian corpuses. Enamel designs add striking blue, green, red, or gold color to the cross.

Where should I hang a St. Benedict crucifix in my home?

The most popular locations are the main living area (providing spiritual protection over the whole household), the bedroom (the traditional location for the Happy Death Crucifix, especially the master bedroom or an elderly family member's room), the entryway or front door area (St. Benedict's protection at the threshold of the home), and children's rooms (guarding against spiritual harm from an early age). Some families place St. Benedict crucifixes above every exterior door. There are no strict rules — place it wherever you want God's protection to be most visible.

Can a St. Benedict crucifix be blessed?

Yes, and it should be. Any Catholic priest or deacon can bless a St. Benedict crucifix, but the Benedictine blessing formula is especially powerful. This specific blessing includes an exorcism prayer over the medal: 'I exorcise these medals against the power and attacks of the evil one. May all who use these medals devoutly be blessed with health of soul and body.' A priest does not need to be a Benedictine to perform this blessing — any Catholic priest can use the Benedictine formula. The crucifix becomes a true sacramental once blessed.

What is the story of St. Benedict and the poisoned bread and wine?

When St. Benedict was abbot at a monastery, jealous monks tried to kill him twice by poisoning his food and drink. When Benedict made the Sign of the Cross over the poisoned bread, the bread shattered. When he blessed the cup of poisoned wine, the cup broke in his hands. These miracles — the origin of the famous images of Benedict holding a broken cup and a raven carrying poisoned bread — demonstrate the power of the cross and of Benedict's faith against evil. The medal and crucifix that bear his name carry this same protective power forward to the faithful today.

What is the difference between a St. Benedict crucifix and a regular crucifix?

A regular Catholic crucifix displays the corpus of Christ on the cross — the central symbol of the faith. A St. Benedict crucifix adds the Medal of St. Benedict to the cross design, incorporating the Benedictine exorcism prayer directly into the crucifix. This makes the St. Benedict crucifix both a devotional symbol of Christ's sacrifice and an active prayer against evil. No other crucifix design includes a built-in exorcism. The St. Benedict crucifix is also associated with the Happy Death tradition and is the preferred crucifix of exorcists.

Is a St. Benedict crucifix a good gift?

Yes — a St. Benedict crucifix is one of the most meaningful and protective Catholic gifts. It is especially fitting for housewarmings (placing God's protection over a new home), weddings (a crucifix the couple will rely on for life), the seriously ill and elderly (the Happy Death Crucifix tradition), Confirmation (strengthening a young Catholic against spiritual attack), RCIA (welcoming a new Catholic with the most powerful crucifix in the tradition), and for anyone going through a difficult spiritual season. Pair it with a St. Benedict rosary for the most complete spiritual protection gift in the Catholic tradition.

Why the St. Benedict Crucifix Is Different from Every Other Crucifix

Every Catholic crucifix displays the sacrifice of Christ. The St. Benedict crucifix goes further — it is the only crucifix that contains a built-in exorcism prayer. The Medal of St. Benedict, set into the center of the cross, bears six groups of Latin initials that together form one of the most ancient and powerful prayers against evil in the Catholic Church. When a priest blesses a St. Benedict crucifix using the special Benedictine blessing formula, it becomes one of the most spiritually potent sacramentals a Catholic can own.

This is why exorcists have traditionally chosen the St. Benedict crucifix for their ministry. The combination of the cross of Christ (the ultimate instrument of Satan's defeat) and the exorcism prayer of St. Benedict (the saint most associated with victory over demonic temptation) creates a devotional object specifically designed for spiritual warfare. But you don't need to be an exorcist to benefit from a St. Benedict crucifix. It is equally powerful for ordinary Catholic families seeking God's protection in their home, for the sick and dying who face their final spiritual battle, and for anyone who feels oppressed by temptation, anxiety, or spiritual darkness.

The Latin Inscriptions Explained

The Medal of St. Benedict contains six groups of Latin initials. Here is what every letter means:

On the cross within the medal: CSSML — "Crux Sacra Sit Mihi Lux" — May the Holy Cross be my light. NDSMD — "Nunquam Draco Sit Mihi Dux" — May the dragon never be my guide.

In the four quadrants around the cross: CSPB — "Crux Sancti Patris Benedicti" — The Cross of our Holy Father Benedict.

Around the outer edge of the medal: VRSNSMV — "Vade Retro Satana, Nunquam Suade Mihi Vana" — Begone Satan! Never tempt me with your vanities. SMQLIVB — "Sunt Mala Quae Libas, Ipse Venena Bibas" — What you offer me is evil. Drink your own poison!

At the top of the medal: PAX — the ancient motto of the Benedictine order, meaning "Peace."

Together, these inscriptions form a complete prayer of rejection of evil and embrace of the cross. When you display a St. Benedict crucifix in your home, these prayers stand guard over your household continuously — a silent, constant petition for God's protection.

The "Happy Death Crucifix"

The St. Benedict crucifix has a long association with the moment of death. St. Benedict himself is the patron saint of a happy death — the Catholic hope of dying in a state of grace, reconciled with God and the Church, and fortified by the sacraments. Catholic tradition holds that the dying person's final hours are a time of intense spiritual battle, when temptations to despair, doubt, and fear are strongest. The St. Benedict crucifix, with its exorcism prayer, is the traditional crucifix held before a dying person's eyes or placed in their hands during this final struggle.

This is why many Catholic families choose a St. Benedict crucifix for the bedroom — the room where a person is most likely to face serious illness or death. It is also why the St. Benedict design is especially popular for sick call sets, which are used when a priest comes to the home to administer the Anointing of the Sick. A St. Benedict sick call crucifix provides the protection of the exorcism prayer at the very moment when it is needed most.

The "Happy Death Indulgence" is a plenary indulgence that can be gained by a dying person who holds a blessed crucifix and makes an act of contrition. While any blessed crucifix can be used, the St. Benedict crucifix — with its specific prayers against the evil one — has been the traditional choice for this devotion for centuries.

St. Benedict: The Saint Behind the Medal

St. Benedict of Nursia (480-547 AD) is the father of Western monasticism and the patron saint of Europe. His Rule of St. Benedict — a guide for monastic life built on the motto "Ora et Labora" (Pray and Work) — has governed Benedictine communities for over 1,500 years and influenced virtually every religious order that followed.

St. Benedict's life was marked by dramatic encounters with evil. When jealous monks tried to poison his bread, the bread shattered when Benedict made the Sign of the Cross over it. When they tried to poison his wine, the cup broke in his hands at the blessing. These stories — the origin of the famous images of Benedict holding a broken cup and a raven carrying away poisoned bread — demonstrate the power of the cross and of Benedict's faith against the attacks of the evil one. The medal and the crucifix that bear his name carry this same power forward into the hands of the faithful today.

St. Benedict Crucifix Styles in Our Collection

Our collection includes three formats of St. Benedict crucifixes. Wall crucifixes in cherry wood, walnut, black wood, and resin are designed to hang in your home as a permanent source of spiritual protection. Standing table crucifixes are built for prayer corners, desks, nightstands, and home altars. Sick call sets combine the St. Benedict crucifix with candles and a holy water bottle for the Anointing of the Sick. Sizes range from 8 inches (ideal for bedrooms and small spaces) to 13 inches and larger (commanding centerpieces for living rooms and prayer spaces). Enamel designs add striking color — blue, green, red, or gold — to the cross while highlighting the medal inscriptions.

Gift Occasions for St. Benedict Crucifixes

A St. Benedict crucifix is one of the most meaningful and protective Catholic gifts. It is especially fitting for housewarmings and new homes (placing God's protection over the household from day one), weddings (a crucifix the couple will rely on for their entire life together), the seriously ill and elderly (the Happy Death Crucifix tradition), Confirmation (strengthening the young Catholic against spiritual attack), RCIA (welcoming a new Catholic with the most powerful crucifix in the tradition), and for anyone going through a spiritually difficult time — grief, temptation, anxiety, or spiritual dryness. A St. Benedict crucifix paired with a St. Benedict rosary creates the most complete spiritual protection gift in the Catholic tradition.
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