São Bento is one of the best known saints today and is very important to the faithful of the Catholic Church. Want to know a little more about him? Come with us and we'll tell you!
What is a Saint?
A saint, saint (which can be written as Saint (short for saint) is a person who, thanks to God, was preserved in his purity and was elevated to the condition of spiritual intercessor with those he loves. Saints have been venerated by Christians since the ancient times, when people believed they had the ability to forbid evil and protect animals.Saints are also known as “bearers of good luck” and they intercede with God for a holy life.
Who was Saint Benedict?
São Bento, one of the most famous saints in Brazil and was canonized in 1830.
São Bento was born on August 20, 1227, in a village in the interior of São Paulo. He was a simple and poor young man, but he had a deep devotion to the Catholic Church. In 1249, São Bento crossed the Tietê River to meet Pope Innocent IV and ask for help in defending the faithful against heretics. Despite resistance from predatory monks and repression by the imperial government, Saint Benedict prevailed and evangelized much of South America until his death in 1261.
According to the stories, São Bento would have influenced Pedro II to adopt the Catholic religion in Brazil. In 1881, Pope Leonidas II canonized Saint Benedict and elevated him to the rank of saint. Many Brazilians appreciate the saint for his charity and the strength he showed during his long life.
Saint Benedict Medal
Officially known as the “São Bento Medal”, the medal is a piece that was manufactured during the reign of D. Pedro I (1808-1834). Proof of the medal's authenticity is its number, signature and date, all written in Latin. The history of the Medal of São Bento began in 1837, when the Prince Regent D. Pedro II received from Pope John IX an object that would be given to Portugal as a form of recognition for the important services provided by the country in the context of the Crusades. The medal was fixed on a crown, and was offered to D. Pedro II through Queen D. Maria II. The prince accepted the medal and kept it until 1850, the year in which he took up residence in the first house of the Empire: the Queluz Palace. Subsequently, the medal was kept at Palácio da Ajuda, until 1940, when it was exhibited at the National Museum of Ancient Art.
Currently, many faithful have replicas of this Saint Benedict medal as a form of amulet to have peace, health and happiness with God.
Facts about Sao Bento
1. São Bento is the patron saint of science.
2. Saint Benedict was one of the first saints to be canonized.
3. The bishops of Braga and Portalegre were responsible for his beatification.
4. São Bento is considered the protector of animals, due to the legends about it that circulate in the region.
5. São Bento is also a patron of arts and commerce.
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