Saint Benedict Medals and Stained Glass Windows

St. Benedict and his sister, St. Scholastica:

Here are some photos of different types of Saint Benedict medals:

How to Use the Saint Benedict Medal

The Saint Benedict Medal Protects the Wearer From:

1. To destroy witchcraft and all other diabolical and haunting influences;
2. To impart protection to persons tempted, deluded, or tormented by evil spirits;
3. To obtain the conversion of sinners into the Catholic Church, especially when they're in danger of death;
4. To serve as an armor against temptation;
5. To destroy the effects of poison;
6. To secure a timely and healthy birth for children;
7. To afford protection against storms and lightning;
8. To serve as an efficacious remedy for bodily afflictions and a means of protection against contagious diseases.

How to Use the Saint Benedict Medal:

1. On a chain around the neck;
2. Attached to one’s rosary;
3. Kept in one’s pocket or purse;
4. Placed in one’s car or home;
5. Placed in the foundation of a building;
6. Placed in the center of a cross.

Note:  The use of any religious article is intended as a means of reminding one of God and of inspiring a willingness and desire to serve God and neighbor. It isn't regarded as a good luck charm or magical device.

The Only Written Documents of Saint Benedict

The only written documents of St. Benedict that have been found are the Dialogue II and the Rule of St. Benedict.   Here is a link to a pamphlet "Saint Benedict - the Hidden Meaning in His Story", which "focuses on St. Benedict’s story during his early years, when he matures spiritually amid hardships, trials and persecution":

http://www.indiana.edu/~engs/benpamphlet.html

Saint Padre Pio

Here is a video of Saint Padre Pio at Mass (1861 - 1968):


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqLxUExgZVQ

This video shows the incorrupt body of Saint Pio:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSaiQGVatZE&feature=related

Blessed Salt

 Blessed Salt is a sacramental that it seems many Catholics are not aware of.

Here is one video about it in English:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMfHbxUPet8&feature=watch_response

Here are some internet resources to learn about it:

http://www.fisheaters.com/salt.html
 
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/13403b.htm

http://lasalettejourney.blogspot.com/2008/03/why-blessed-salt.html 

To obtain Blessed Salt, you should visit your Catholic Priest and bring him a container of salt and ask him to bless it.

Below is information I found about Blessed Salt:

Blessed Salt is an instrument of grace to preserve one from the corruption of evil occurring as sin, sickness, demonic influence, etc.

Like all Sacramentals, its power comes not from the sign itself, but by means of the Church's official (liturgical, not private) prayer of blessing -- a power the Church derives from Christ Himself.

As the Vatican II document on the Liturgy states, both Sacraments & Sacramenta's sanctify us, not of themselves, but by power flowing from the redemptive act of Jesus, elicited by the Church's intercession to be directed through those external signs & elements.

Therefore, Sacramentals like Blessed Salt, Holy Water, Blessed Medals, etc., are not to be used superstitiously as having self-contained power, but as 'focus points' funneling one's faith toward Jesus, just like a flag is used as a focus point of patriotism.

Thus, used non-superstitiously, modest amounts of Blessed Salt may be sprinkled in one's bedroom, or across thresholds to prevent burglary, in cars for safety, etc.

A few grains of Blessed Salt in drinking water or used in cooking or as food seasoning often bring astonishing spiritual & physical benefits.

As with the use of Sacraments, much depends on the faith & devotion of the person using salt or any Sacramental. This faith must be Jesus-centered, as was the faith of the blind man in John 9; he had faith in Jesus, not in the mud & spittle used by Jesus to heal him.

Any amount of salt may be presented to a priest for his blessing using the following official prayer from the Roman Ritual:

"Almighty God, we ask you to bless this salt, as once you blessed the salt scattered over the water by the prophet Elisha. Wherever this salt (& water) is sprinkled, drive away the power of evil, & protect us always by the presence of your Holy Spirit. Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen"