You know, when Christians are plagued by demons, they call on Jesus' name. In the Roman Catholic church, we turn to Saint Benedict. Saint Benedict (480–547) was an Italian Catholic monk. He is admired not just in the Catholic Church, but the Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodox Churches, Lutheran, and Anglican Churches too, because he was so charitable and pious, and he could ward off demons. In 1964 Pope Paul VI declared Saint Benedict a patron saint of all of Europe. Some of Saint Benedict's miracles were more spectacular than St. Anthony's. And Anthony is the patron saint of miracles in the RC church, you know. One time, someone brought a captive to Benedict. Benedict looked down at his wrists, which were tied with rope. Immediately the rope was undone. Quicker than any man could untie it, it was said. Benedict's monastery in Lazio, Italy had a lot of former Italian nobles in it. They chose the monastic life. But they were still jealous of Benedict and his power and prestige. And they were always trying to kill him, naturally. One time, before supper, they poisoned the wine in his chalice. Benedict pronounced the blessing over the chalice, and it immediately shattered. Another time they put Mercury in his small loaf of bread. And just as he was about to eat it, a Raven came in and took it. The Raven was Benedict's symbol, possibly after the Germanic god Odin. But we do know for sure that those last two things definitely took place, from immediate eyewitness accounts. When you feel demons are bothering you, you should say his blessing: Ecce Crucem Domini, Fugite, partes adversae, Vicit Leo de Tribu Juda, Radix David, alleluia! Or Behold the Cross of the Lord! Flee ye adversaries! The Lion of the Tribe of Juda, The Root of David has conquered, alleluia! (That's actually called St. Anthony's Brief. But I think Benedict used it too. He cast out numerous demons that way, while holding the cross [as the prayer says].) And also, shortly after he died, Benedict's fellow monks immediately designed the Saint Benedict Medal. It shows him holding that cross plus his Rule of Saint Benedict. On the back, it shows his cross, with C S P B in each quadrant, meaning Crux Sancti Patris Benedicti, or "The Cross of our Holy Father Benedict". All around the back it also has his prayers and exorcisms, many of them rhyming, in Latin at least. Like S M Q L I V B, Sunt Mala Quae Libas Ipse Venena Bibas (notice how libas and bibas rhyme). Meaning "what you [Satan] offer me is evil, what you are showing me is bad, drink your own poison", which is very true you know. The medal will cast off most demons. Just having it around is enough. Or putting it in a haunted building. (Catholics have often put in in the cement foundations of buildings for this purpose.) Just make sure that you have it blessed by a Benedictine friar first, because that is essential. It will also ensure a safe delivery for women in labor. And it will prevent things like colds when wore around the neck. Placing holy water in a crosslet on the forehead will do this last one too, some Catholics point out.
