At 12:38 PM 12/27/00 -0800, you wrote:
>Kathryn wrote:
>Other such beliefs about religious artifacts are still alive and
>kicking. The most recent one I've encountered is the practice of
>putting a medal of (specifically) St. Benedict on windowsills and
>above doors to keep away evil. I'm curious whether it is the
>protective power of St. Benedict that's being called on, or the
>protection of the cross that is usually on the reverse side of this
>particular medal.
>
Neither. A Medal of St. Benedict is normally exorcised. This exorcism,
which is a prayer invoking the mediation of Christ and His Saints and
Angels, is what wards off the fallen angels. For those on this list who
doubt the efficacy and power of exorcisms, I invite you to visit Father
Amorth at the Vatican, when next you visit. He will be most glad to invite
you to one of his weekly exorcisms, replete with preternatural phenomenon.
It is a sober reminder of the truth of Christ's power over all creation.
Sincerely in Christ,
Br. Alexis Bugnolo
The Franciscan Archive
http://www.franciscan-archive.org/
"A WWW Resource on St. Francis and Franciscanism"
62 Pilgrim Road
Mansfield, MA 02048
USA
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