Pope Benedict XVI: What's In Two Names? (Amazing Read)

Catholicity ^ | 4/19/2005 | unknown

[Pyro7480]

Pope Benedict XVI: What's In Two Names?

It is interesting the Holy Spirit chose a man baptized Joseph, and, that he, Joseph Ratzinger, chose Benedict as his pontifical name.

Mr. and Mrs. Ratzinger, having no idea that their newborn son would one day be called to run the Catholic Church, decided to name their baby after Saint Joseph. Surely, Providence inspired their choice. Saint Joseph, among his many other titles, is known as the Terror of Demons. Beside the very reality of the meaning of that phrase (evil spiritual forces fear the intercession of Saint Joseph), this title reflects the grave responsibility Joseph took upon his shoulders to protect Our Lady and their son, Jesus. It also reflects Saint Joseph's purity, and his willingness to order his will toward whatever was best for his family. Spiritual bad guys can't abide by the light of holiness and purity, and no man born to Original Sin was holier and more pure of heart than Joseph.

Furthermore, Saint Joseph's primary title is Patron (Father) of the Universal Church. His is first place among the saints.

Saint Benedict, who lived in the sixth century, was the founder of the Benedictines (the very first religious congregation) is also famously known for his power to intercede against the forces of spiritual evil. The Saint Benedict Medal, perhaps the most popular Catholic medal after the Miraculous Medal of the Immaculate Conception, is considered lead-pipe-lock insurance against the forces of evil for those who wear it. The medal itself, designed by Saint Benedict, contains the first letters of Latin words which make up phrases that castigate and even humiliate spiritual beings. One of our favorites among them is directed to the head bad guy himself, Lucifer: "Go bark at the moon!"

Saint Benedict is the Bruce Willis of Catholic Saints. "Yippie Kai Yay!"

Many scholars honor Saint Benedict with another title. As a result of his history-making deeds and the legacy of the founding of religious congregations, which provided the social, educational, and organizing basis for Christendom to slowly rise from the chaotic remains of the Roman Empire, Saint Benedict is also known as the Father of Western Civilization.

Saint Joseph is a holy father.
Saint Benedict is a holy father.
Joseph Ratzinger, now His Holiness Benedict XVI, is our Holy Father.

We have a man named Joseph. We have a pope named Benedict. Bad guys, on earth and under the earth, you're in for a scrap. Expect the world, the flesh, and the devil to commence their attacks upon Joseph/Benedict in short order.

Expect them to fail.

[Pyro7480]

Special thanks to FReeper Frank Sheed for pointing out this article!

Saint Joseph, among his many other titles, is known as the Terror of Demons

For the past few years, I have invoked St. Joseph under this title, which is taken from the Litany of St. Joseph

Sancte Ioseph, terror daemonum, ora pro nobis

The Saint Benedict Medal, perhaps the most popular Catholic medal after the Miraculous Medal of the Immaculate Conception, is considered lead-pipe-lock insurance against the forces of evil for those who wear it

If you don't do so already, I highly recommend the pious use of the St. Benedict Medal, in this age where the "evil spirits... prowl about the word, seeking the ruin of souls." See if you can get a Benedictine to bless it, in the traditional manner, though any priest has the faculties to bless it.

Saint Benedict is also known as the Father of Western Civilization.

He is also the patron saint of Europe. The legacy of Western Civilization, which is the legact of St. Benedict and his spiritual children, must be preserved!

Come, O Holy Ghost, fill the heart of the Vicar of Christ, Pope Benedict XVI, and fill him with the graces he needs to carry out the duties of the Office of Peter. May he be "wise as [a]serpent and simple as [a] dove" (Matthew 10:16), so he can lead the Church and protect Her sheep against enemies, both visible and invisible.

St. Joseph, pray for us!
St. Benedict, pray for us!

[HitmanLV]

Mr. and Mrs. Ratzinger, having no idea that their newborn son would one day be called to run the Catholic Church, decided to name their baby after Saint Joseph.

My grandparents named my dad after St Joseph - they had no idea he would run a small department for the City of NY for decades.

My parents named my youngest brother after St. Joseph - they had no idea he would be a womainzer. :-)

My middle name is taken after St. Joseph - my parents had no idea that I would be a non-team player with a bad attitude! ;-)

[keithtoo]

Benedict in Latin means 'good' [bene] 'speech' [dictu] or "blessing".

Let's hope it plays out.

[big'ol_freeper]

Ping

[Pyro7480]

Catholic ping!

Saint Joseph, among his many other titles, is known as the Terror of Demons

Sancte Ioseph, terror daemonum, ora pro nobis!

Saint Benedict is also known as the Father of Western Civilization.

[Pyro7480]

I took St. Joseph's name for my confirmation name, and he is probably my favorite saint.

[Bigg Red]

Very interesting. This makes me want to learn more about St. Benedict.

[solitas]

(ring ring)
"...h'lo? Oh, hi! Huh? What's that? Billy-the-Book is postin' 50-to-1 odds that I'll pick the name "Benedict the 16th"? Heh. Yeah, that's right. OH yeah. Heh heh heh. You know what to do. Yeah. Thanks for callin'. Bye!..."

[Salvation]

for later.

[livius]

Good article. The symbolism of the name "Benedict" is so many-layered I think we're all on the brink of vertigo.

I thought of it as referring to the Pope who came before the great divide between the Church of Pius XII and the Church of John XXIII/Paul VI, and hence indicated a desire to make a new start and not to position himself within the conflict but with the Eternal Church, ever ancient and ever new.

And then I have also given considerable thought to the work of St. Benedict and the many things this name might represent, particularly the focus on the re-Christianization of Europe. The aspect of St. Benedict's strength against evil is something I hadn't even considered. (And of course, St. Joseph is an all-around good guy and powerful friend - ite ad Ioseph!)

[HitmanLV]

St Joseph is among my favorite Saints, also. I have no official ranking of my top saints, but they include:

St. Joan of Arc
St. Thomas More
St. Vincent (I am named after St. Vincent)
St. St Francis (My childhood parish was Franciscan and I was educated by Franciscans from grades K-8, before attending a Jesuit high school).
St. Valentine
St. Teresa of Calcutta
St. Regis (I attended Regis HS)

I have other faves but they are some of the ones who come to my mind quickly.

[Pyro7480]

I recommend the following:

The Life of St. Benedict, by Pope St. Gregory the Great
The Medal or Cross of Saint Benedict, by Dom Guéranger

[Kolokotronis]

Apolytikion (Plagal of Fourth Tone)
In you the image of God was faithfully preserved, O Father; for taking up your cross, you followed Christ, and by your deeds you taught us to overlook the flesh, for it passes away, but to attend to the soul since it is immortal. Wherefore, O Holy Benedict, your spirit rejoices with the angels.

Kontakion (Plagal of Fourth Tone)
To you, the Champion Leader
O sun that shines with the Mystic Dayspring's radiance, who enlightened the monastics of the western lands, you are worthily the namesake of benediction; purge us of the filth of passions thoroughly by the sweat of your illustrious accomplishments, for we cry to you, "Rejoice, O thrice-blessed Benedict".

A little something for you Romans from your Orthodox brethren!

[shibumi]

PING!

(You've just GOT to read this!)

[ClaireSolt]

Also, it was the Benedictine monks who preserved civilization through the dark ages, so it is apt that a Benedict should try to wrest the European people away from secular relativism. Maybe he will demand that states return church property they confiscated.

[NYer]

The Saint Benedict Medal, perhaps the most popular Catholic medal after the Miraculous Medal of the Immaculate Conception, is considered lead-pipe-lock insurance against the forces of evil for those who wear it.

It should be interesting to see if Pope Benedict XVI chooses this symbol for his crozier!

St. Benedict was the father of Western Monasticism. He was born in Nursia, Italy, in 480. Beginning in 520, he founded twelve monasteries in the region of Subiaco. The foundation at Monte Cassino (529) became the cradle of his Order. His twin sister was St. Scholastica. Benedict died march 21, 542.

St. Benedict had a profound veneration for the Holy Cross and for our Saviour Crucified. In virtue of the Sign of the Cross he wrought many miracles and exercised great power over the spirits of darkness.

In consequence of the great veneration in which St. Benedict was held from the early middle ages, it followed that a medal was struck.
His medal has exceptional powers against the demons of Hell.

The Medal of Saint Benedict is one of the Sacramentals of the Church. The value and power of the Medal must be ascribed to the merits of Christ Crucified, to the efficacious prayers of St. Benedict, to the blessing of the Church, and specially to the faith and holy disposition of the person using the Medal.

Description

The front of the medal shows St. Benedict holding a cross in one hand and the book of his Rule in the other. Flanking him on each side are the words: Crux S. Patris Benedicti (The Cross of the Holy Father Benedict).

Below his feet are these words: Ex S M Casino MDCCCLXXX (From the Holy Mount of Cassino, 1880). On that date , Monte Cassino was given the exclusive right to produce this medal.
Inscribed in the circle surrounding Benedict are the words: Ejus in obitu nostro presentia muniamur (May his presence protect us in the hour of death).

The other side of the medal is where the real exorcistic force reveals itself. In the center is the Cross. Benedict loved the Cross and used it to drive away demons.

The vertical beam of the Cross has five letters: C.S.S.M.L., meaning Crux Sacra Sit Mihi Lux (May the holy Cross be for me a light).

The horizontal beam of the Cross also has five letters: N.D.S.M.D., meaning Non Draco Sit Mihi Dux (Let not the dragon be my guide).

The four large letters at the angles of the Cross: C S P B stand for Crux Sancti Patris Benedicti (The Cross of the Holy Father Benedict).

Encircling the Cross in a circle around the right margin are these letters: V.R.S.N.S.M.V., meaning Vade retro Satana; nunquam suade mihi vana (Begone Satan! Suggest not to me thy vain things).

Around the left margin of the circle are these letters: S.M.Q.L.I.V.B., meaning Sunt mala quae libas; ipse venena bibas (The drink you offer is evil; drink that poison yourself).

At the top of the circle is the word PAX (Peace).

Catholic Ping
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[Kolokotronis]

"Also, it was the Benedictine monks who preserved civilization through the dark ages,..."

In the West yes, where, alas, it needed preservation. :)

[AlbionGirl]

Saint Joseph, among his many other titles, is known as the Terror of Demons

I never knew this before, but once I read it, I thought how could the Man who God chose to be the earthly Father of His Son, not be terror of the demons? Also, had never heard him referred to as First among Saints of the Church.

This was a very good read, thanks.

[dsc]

"The Saint Benedict Medal, perhaps the most popular Catholic medal after the Miraculous Medal of the Immaculate Conception, is considered lead-pipe-lock insurance against the forces of evil for those who wear it."

Wow. I've never seen one of those on sale in Japan.

I need seven of them to superglue to my family members' foreheads.

Oh, and one for me, too.

[Pyro7480]

Thank you so much for the description of the St. Benedict Medal!