Medal of St. Benedict: A Sign of Faith

Medal of St. Benedict: A Sign of Faith at St. Paul’s Monastery

At St. Paul’s Monastery, the medal of St. Benedict is far more than a beautiful devotional object. It is a small but powerful sign of the Benedictine way of life. It is a reminder that the values we strive to live each day (listening, humility, stability, hospitality, stewardship, and peace) are rooted in the transforming power of the Cross of Christ.

For centuries, Benedictines and those who walk alongside them (oblates, retreatants, and friends) have worn or carried the St. Benedict Medal as a sacramental that accompanies daily life. It is a quiet witness that the wisdom of St. Benedict and his Rule continues to guide hearts seeking God in the midst of the world.

The Cross at the Center

At the center of the medal stands the Cross, the very heart of Christian faith and Benedictine spirituality. Around it appear the letters CSPB—Crux Sancti Patris Benedicti—meaning “The Cross of our Holy Father Benedict.”

This inscription reminds us that Benedictine life always begins with Christ. St. Benedict taught his monks to “prefer nothing whatever to Christ,” and the cross on the medal reflects that same commitment. For those connected to St. Paul’s Monastery, the medal becomes a daily invitation to let Christ’s light shape our decisions, our relationships, and our work.

The letters on the cross form a prayer:

Crux Sacra Sit Mihi Lux
Non Draco Sit Mihi Dux

May the Holy Cross be my light.
May the dragon never be my guide.

These words express a profound spiritual truth. In a world filled with distraction, anxiety, and competing voices, the Benedictine path calls us back to clarity, discernment, and faithful living. The Cross becomes our compass.

A Prayer for Spiritual Strength

On the reverse side of the medal is another ancient prayer associated with St. Benedict:

Vade Retro Satana!
Numquam 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 the poison yourself.

These words are not meant to inspire fear but rather spiritual courage. They remind us that the Christian life requires attentiveness and perseverance. The Rule of St. Benedict speaks often of conversion of life—the ongoing work of turning our hearts toward God.

The medal therefore becomes a quiet companion in that journey, helping us remember that grace is stronger than temptation and that Christ’s victory is already won.

A Benedictine Sacramental for Daily Life

Scholastica & Benedict by Benedictine Brother Martin Erspamer.

In the Benedictine tradition, sacramentals such as the St. Benedict Medal help us remain mindful of God’s presence in ordinary life. They are signs that draw us back to prayer, reminding us that every moment—work, rest, hospitality, and service—can become a place of encounter with God.

At St. Paul’s Monastery, many people receive the medal when they begin a deeper relationship with the community. A form of the medal of St. Benedict is often offered to oblates, retreat participants, volunteers, and friends of the monastery. Wearing or keeping the medal nearby becomes a simple practice of remembrance:

to listen deeply, as St. Benedict invites at the beginning of the Rule
to seek peace in the midst of chaos
to practice humility and hospitality toward others
to trust that God is quietly at work in the rhythms of daily life

A Witness Needed in Today’s World

Our world today longs for the very things Benedictine spirituality offers: peace instead of division, stability instead of anxiety, community instead of isolation, and prayer woven into the fabric of everyday life.

The St. Benedict Medal quietly proclaims that another way of living is possible.

When someone sees the medal or asks about it, it opens a conversation—not just about a saint from the sixth century, but about a living tradition that continues today through communities like St. Paul’s Monastery, the Benedictine Center, Maple Tree Childcare Center, and Hill-Murray School. It becomes an invitation to explore a life shaped by prayer, balance, and reverence for God.

A Small Medal, A Great Invitation

The medal of St. Benedict may be small, but its meaning is profound. It points us toward the Cross, reminds us of our call to faithful living, and connects us to a spiritual tradition that has nourished seekers for more than fifteen centuries.