Ok, I have several questions I hope someone will answer…
In my current situation I am unable to attend mass and go through RCIA classes because I am still under my mother’s authority. (she’s a protestant) But recently my mother let me go to a Catholic church with one of my mother’s friends. While there, I asked a priest to bless my Rosary and St. Benedict medal because there was supposed to be some sort of spiritual benefit. What are the spiritual benefits that go with the St. Benedict medal and getting a Rosary blessed? Also, if they do have benefits, can they be applied to someone who is not Catholic yet?
Just one more thing:D What type of scapular is this?
I bought it online but I can’t seem to find out about it. Does this have any spiritual benefits? Must it be blessed by a priest? If it does have benefits, can it benefit a person who is not Catholic yet?
This is what I found out about the Saint Benedict Medal:
Lay Catholics are not permitted to perform exorcisms but they can use the Saint Benedict Medal, Holy water, the crucifix and other sacramentals for warding off evil.
This medal is used in numerous ways:
on chain around the neck;
attached to one’s rosary;
kept in one’s pocket or purse;
placed in one’s car or home;
placed in the foundation of a building;
placed in the center of a cross.
Here are some of its uses:
To destroy witchcraft and all other diabolical & haunting influences. To keep away the spells of magicians, of wicked and evil-minded persons. To impart protection to persons tempted, deluded or tormented by evil spirits. To obtain the conversion of sinners into the Catholic Church, especially when they are in danger of death. To serve as an armor in temptations against holy purity. To destroy the effects of poison. To secure a timely and healthy birth for children. To afford protection against storms and lightning. To serve as an efficacious remedy for bodily afflictions and a means of protection against contagious diseases.
On the Rosary:
15 Promises made by Our Lady to those who faithfully recite the Rosary:
Whoever shall faithfully serve me by the recitation of the Rosary shall receive signal graces.
I promise my special protection and the greatest graces to all those who shall recite the Rosary.
The Rosary shall be a powerful armor against hell, it will destory vice, decrease sin, and prevent heresies.
It will cause virtue and good works to flourish; it will obtain souls the abundant mercy of God; it will withdraw the hearts of men from the love of the world and its vanities and will lift them to the desire of eternal things. Oh, that souls would sanctify themselves by this means.
The soul which recommends itself to me by the recitation of the Rosary, shall not perish.
Whoever shall recite the Rosary devoutly, applying himself to the consideration of its sacred mysteries, shall never be conquered by misfortune. God will not chastise him in His justice, he shall not perish by and unprovided death; if he be just, he shall remain in the grace of God and become worthy of eternal life.
Whoever shall have a true devotion for the Rosary shall not die without the Sacraments of the Church.
Those who are faithful to recite the Rosary shall have during their life and death the light of God and the plentitude of his graces; at the moment of death, they shall participate in the merits of the saints in Paradise.
I shall deliver from Purgatory those who have been devoted to the Rosary.
The faithful children of the Rosary shall merit high degree of glory in Heaven.
You shall obtain all you ask of me by the recitation of the Rosary.
All those who propagate the Holy Rosary shall be aided by me in their necessities.
I have obtained from my Divine Son that all the advocates of the Rosary shall have for intercessors the entire Celestial Court during their life and at the hour of death.
All who recite the Rosary are my sons, and brothers of my only Son, Jesus Christ
Devotion to my Rosary is a great sign of predestination.
That is a beautiful brown scapular! The brown scapular unlike most other scapulars allows for basically any religious image on the front and back. So you can have a cross, St. Michael, or in this case the beautiful images you have.
There is a special investiture for people who wish to wear the brown scapular that you can ask for. When I was finishing RCIA, the priest had all the new converts who wished to wear it go through the investiture ceremony with him.
The St. Benedict medal has a very powerful protection blessing against the work of evil spirits, a special exorcism blessing. This blessing is found in the older ritual books, and any priest can do it. It is not the same as a simple blessing, which is normally done over any medal, a simple sign of the cross – but an extended blessing that the person who is asking for can participate in.
Sometimes when one acquires medals they are already blessed, if they are new medals the place you get them from will let you know, normally they aren’t – if they are older, they may likely be blessed, however there is no harm in having it done just in case too.
When you have your rosary blessed by a priest, it is often the standard simple priestly blessing normally although there are also longer ones in the ritual. The blessing has the special grace every blessing by a priest gives, along with whatever the priest intends in that special prayer for you and your rosary.
Maybe someone could answer more generally what the benefits, in general, of getting anything blessed … I guess I’m still sort of confused about that. I know it has to be something in between “the blessing gives it a magic power to ward off evil” and “it makes no difference at all,” but I’m not clear on what the in between is.
I’ll answer your question, but please keep in mind that I’ve only been a Catholic for less than 2 years, so other more experienced Catholics might disagree.
Here is my thought about the objects I’ve had blessed:
Example 1: I’m wearing a St. Benedict medal around my neck that two young men gave me as a Christmas present this year and was blessed by Our Holy Father. When I touch it or hear it clink against my other jewelry, I’m reminded of these two young fellas, I remember to pray for them, and I’m also reminded to pray for the Pope’s intentions and health and safety.
Example 2: When I pray with my favorite rosary, I recall along with the mysteries, how my husband and I asked a priest who’s very dear to us to bless this rosary after Mass one weekday and how much it meant to us when he did. I remember to pray for this priest and for my husband, too.
Example 3: When I hold a medal that another priest blessed for me many years ago, I recall all the good things this priest/friend has done for me and so many others and how good our Lord is to us all and I say an extra prayer of thanksgiving for all the blessings we’ve received.
This is how I see my sacramentals and what they do for me beyond an ordinary “not-blessed” object.
Oh thank you, I specially chose it because I’m devoted to the Sacred Heart and to St. Therese… So does that mean that the scapular will have no effect unless I am invested? Must I be a confirmed Catholic to do so? Will the graces apply to someone who wishes to be in communion with the Church?
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The brown scapular unlike most other scapulars allows for basically any religious image on the front and back. So you can have a cross, St. Michael, or in this case the beautiful images you have. 