The 130 St Benedict Prayer is one of the most trusted prayers in Catholic tradition, used for protection against evil, temptation, and a peaceful death.
The Traditional Prayer of St. Benedict
Full Prayer Text
- O Lord, I place myself in your hands and dedicate myself to you.
- I pledge myself to do your will in all things.
- To love the Lord God with all my heart, all my soul, all my strength.
- Not to kill. Not to steal. Not to covet. Not to bear false witness.
- To honor all persons.
- Not to do to another what I would not wish done to myself.
- To chastise the body. Not to seek after pleasures. To love fasting.
- To relieve the poor. To clothe the naked. To visit the sick. To bury the dead.
- To help in trouble. To console the sorrowing.
- To hold myself aloof from worldly ways. To prefer nothing to the love of Christ.
- Not to give way to anger. Not to foster a desire for revenge.
- Not to entertain deceit in the heart. Not to make a false peace.
- To speak the truth with heart and tongue. Not to return evil for evil.
- To love my enemies. Not to curse those who curse me, but rather to bless them.
- Not to be proud. Not to be given to intoxicating drink. Not to be an over-eater.
- To put my trust in God.
- To keep death before my eyes daily. To keep constant watch over my actions.
- To pray often. To ask forgiveness daily for my sins.
- Never to despair of your mercy, O God of Mercy. Amen.
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St. Benedict Prayer for Protection Against Evil
Full Prayer Text
- O glorious St. Benedict, sublime model of all virtues, pure vessel of God’s grace.
- Behold me, humbly kneeling at thy feet.
- I implore thy loving heart to pray for me before the throne of God.
- To thee I have recourse in all the dangers which daily surround me.
- Shield me against my enemies, inspire me to imitate thee in all things.
- May thy blessing be with me always, so that I may shun whatever God forbids.
- Help me, O great St. Benedict, to live and die as a faithful child of God.
- To be ever submissive to His holy will, and to attain the eternal happiness of heaven. Amen.
This St. Benedict prayer for protection is one of the most searched forms of the prayer of St. Benedict. Catholics use it during times of fear, temptation, or spiritual attack.
St. Benedict Prayer for a Happy Death
Full Prayer Text
- O holy Father, St. Benedict, blessed by God both in grace and in name.
- Who, while standing in prayer, with hands raised to heaven, didst most happily yield thy angelic spirit into the hands of thy Creator.
- Hast promised zealously to defend against all the snares of the enemy in the last struggle of death.
- Protect me, I beseech thee, O glorious Father, this day and every day, by thy holy blessings.
- That I may never be separated from our dear Lord, from the society of thyself, and of all the blessed. Amen.
The Promise Made to St. Gertrude
St. Benedict is said to have told St. Gertrude that whoever recalls his glorious death daily will receive his special protection in their final hour. This promise is the foundation of the happy death devotion still practiced today.
St. Benedict Medal Prayer
Full Prayer Text
- May the intercession of the Blessed Patriarch and Abbot Benedict render Thee merciful unto us, O Lord.
- That what our own unworthiness cannot obtain, we may receive through his powerful patronage.
- Through Christ Our Lord. Amen.
The Crux Sacra Prayer on the Medal
- Crux Sacra Sit Mihi Lux – The Holy Cross be my Light.
- Non Draco Sit Mihi Dux – Let not the Dragon be my guide.
- Vade Retro Satana – Begone, Satan.
- Nunquam Suade Mihi Vana – Never tempt me with vanities.
- Sunt Mala Quae Libas – What you offer me is evil.
- Ipse Venena Bibas – Drink the poison yourself.
Novena to St. Benedict
Full Novena Prayer
- Glorious St. Benedict, who taught us the way to religious perfection by self-conquest, mortification, humility, obedience, prayer, silence, and detachment from the world.
- I kneel at your feet and humbly beg you to take my present need under your special protection.
- Vouchsafe to recommend it to the Blessed Virgin Mary, and lay it before the throne of Jesus.
- Cease not to intercede for me until my request is granted.
- Above all, obtain for me the grace to one day meet God face to face.
- O most powerful Saint Benedict, do not let me lose my soul, but obtain for me the grace of winning my way to heaven. Amen.
Pray one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory Be after this novena prayer, repeated for nine consecutive days.
Litany of St. Benedict
Full Litany Text
- Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us.
- God the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.
- God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
- God, the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.
- Holy Mary, pray for us.
- Holy Father, Saint Benedict, pray for us.
- Father most reverend, pray for us.
- Man of great fortitude, pray for us.
- Light of prayer and contemplation, pray for us.
- Leader of the holy warfare, pray for us.
- Wonderful worker of miracles, pray for us.
- Revealer of the secrets of the human heart, pray for us.
- Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
FAQ’s
What is the powerful prayer of St. Benedict?
The most powerful St. Benedict prayer is the one that begins “O glorious St. Benedict, sublime model of all virtues,” which is prayed for protection against evil and daily dangers.
What prayer is written on the Medal of Saint Benedict?
The back of the St. Benedict Medal carries the Crux Sacra prayer, made up of Latin initials that stand for phrases like “The Holy Cross be my Light” and “Let not the Dragon be my guide.”
What is the unfailing prayer for Saint Benedict’s intercession?
The Novena to St. Benedict is widely considered the unfailing prayer for his intercession, since it is prayed daily for nine days to ask for his special protection and help.
What is the crux sacra prayer?
The Crux Sacra prayer is the set of Latin phrases on the St. Benedict Medal, including “Crux Sacra Sit Mihi Lux” and “Non Draco Sit Mihi Dux,” used as a defense against evil.
The 130 St Benedict prayer offers Catholics a lasting source of protection, strength, and peace through the intercession of St. Benedict.
Conclusion
The St. Benedict prayer has brought comfort, protection, and peace to believers for centuries. Whether you turn to it during moments of fear, temptation, or uncertainty, or simply as part of your daily devotion, these 130+ prayers can help you feel grounded and spiritually covered. Choose the ones that speak to your heart, repeat them with faith, and let them guide you toward a calmer, more protected life.
Admin of Prayer Board. Sharing heartfelt prayers, daily blessings, and words of faith for every soul. Henry Whitman believes prayer brings hope, peace, strength, and comfort during every season of life.
