The Saint Benedict Medal: The Meaning of the Latin Exorcism and Its Protective Power

The Saint Benedict Medal is one of the oldest and most venerated sacramentals in the Catholic Church. Used as spiritual armor, it contains a series of initials that hide an exorcism prayer in ecclesiastical Latin of immense power against the forces of evil.

What is the origin of the Saint Benedict Medal?

The origin of the Saint Benedict Medal traces back to the saint’s miracles in the 6th century, but the exorcism formula engraved on it remained hidden until 1415, when an illuminated manuscript was discovered at Metten Abbey (Bavaria) decrypting the Latin acronyms. The sacramental received official approval and solemn blessing from Pope Benedict XIV in 1742.

For centuries, the faithful knew that the medal provided singular protection against plagues, poisons, and demonic temptations, but the letters engraved on the back were an undecipherable mystery. The discovery of the medieval manuscript in Metten revealed that each letter corresponded to a word of an imperative exorcism prayer pronounced by Saint Benedict himself in the face of attacks and attempts on his life.

Meaning of the letters on the Saint Benedict Medal

The reverse of the medal features a cross with letters engraved on both its arms and its outer border. These letters represent the initials of a powerful Latin prayer that drives away the devil and proclaims the sovereignty of the Cross of Jesus Christ.

Letters on the arms of the Cross:

• C.S.P.B.: Crux Sancti Patris Benedicti (Cross of the Holy Father Benedict).
• C.S.S.M.L.: Crux Sacra Sit Mihi Lux (May the Holy Cross be my light), on the vertical arm.
• N.D.S.M.D.: Non Draco Sit Mihi Dux (May the dragon not be my guide), on the horizontal arm.

Letters on the outer border (the exorcism formula):

• V.R.S.: Vade Retro Satana (Begone, Satan / Step back, Satan).
• N.S.M.V.: Numquam Suade Mihi Vana (Never suggest vain things to me).
• S.M.Q.L.: Sunt Mala Quae Libas (What you offer is evil).
• I.V.B.: Ipse Venena Bibas (Drink your own poisons).

At the top, above the cross, the word PAX (Peace) is usually engraved, which is the motto of the Order of Saint Benedict, symbolizing the spiritual victory that follows after casting out the enemy of our souls.

The power of ecclesiastical Latin in spiritual combat

The Catholic Church preserves ecclesiastical Latin in its liturgical formulas and exorcism sacramentals due to its sacred, solemn, and universal character. Chanting prayers in Latin, combined with the melody of Gregorian chant, creates a sacred acoustic atmosphere that fosters soul concentration and repels the chaos of evil.

Liturgists and exorcists throughout history have noted how Latin is especially hostile to the evil spirit due to the ecclesial obedience embedded in this sacred tongue.

At Kairós Studio, we have set the complete prayer of the Saint Benedict Medal to Gregorian Chant. Recording this exorcism in Latin using the acoustic chiaroscuro of the organ and stone cathedrals allows us to immerse the listener in a meditative experience of deep reverence and protection.

We invite you to pray and meditate with our devotional video integrated below, or to delve deeper into the exact pronunciation in our Saint Benedict Latin Prayer section in the Sacred Library.