Saint Medals

A saint medal is a small sacramental medal bearing the image of a particular saint. Catholics wear them on a chain, carry them in a pocket, or keep them in a prayer corner as a reminder of that saint's life and as a way of asking for their intercession.

The practice of wearing sacred medals goes back to the earliest centuries of the Church. The first Christians wore medals with the image of the Good Shepherd or the Cross as a sign of their faith. Over the centuries, medals honoring particular saints became common — each one a small, portable reminder of a holy life.

Today, there are medals for hundreds of saints. Some are associated with particular needs — St. Christopher for travelers, St. Michael for protection, St. Anthony for lost things. Others honor Mary under her many titles. Each one is a way of keeping a saint close — and through the saint, drawing closer to God.

No. This distinction is extremely important.

Saint medals are not Catholic versions of lucky charms. The Catholic faith condemns superstition — the idea that an object possesses some magical power independent of God. A medal points beyond itself.

Think about a friendship bracelet. The string itself is not the friendship. But wearing it reminds you of your friend, and touching it can turn your heart toward them. A saint medal works similarly. The metal is not the saint. But it reminds us of the saint, and through the saint, it turns our hearts toward God.

And Catholics do not worship saints. We worship God alone. We honor the saints as faithful Christians now in Heaven and ask for their prayers, just as we might ask a faithful friend to pray for us. The medal has power only insofar as it leads us toward Jesus Christ. And that is exactly what it does.

The Catholic Church uses the word sacramental for certain sacred signs and devotional objects that help prepare us to receive God's grace and live our faith more deeply.

Sacramentals are different from the seven Sacraments instituted by Christ. A medal does not replace Baptism. It does not replace Confession. It does not replace the Eucharist. And it certainly does not replace a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Instead, sacramentals help direct our attention toward God and remind us to live the faith we profess.

A Catholic might wear a saint medal for many reasons. It can be a reminder to pray. A reminder of a saint's example. A way of asking for that saint's intercession. A sign that we belong to Christ. A source of comfort in difficult times.

And sometimes it becomes something even simpler: a reminder that we are not alone. The same saint who walked the earth, who loved God, who suffered and rejoiced, is now in Heaven — praying for us. Every time your hand touches the medal, it can become an invitation: turn your heart toward God. Ask the saint to pray for you. And follow Christ.

There are medals for hundreds of saints. Here are some of the most popular:

The practice of honoring the saints and asking for their prayers is rooted in Scripture. The Bible describes the saints in Heaven offering prayers to God and the early Church praying for one another — a communion of prayer that continues across the boundary of death.

There is no wrong choice. Many Catholics choose a medal of a saint whose life inspires them — perhaps a patron saint of their name, their profession, their country, or a particular need.

You might choose the saint you were named after. You might choose a saint associated with a challenge you're facing — St. Anthony for lost things, St. Michael for protection, St. Joseph for a holy death. You might simply choose a saint whose story moves you.

The best way to choose is to read the lives of the saints and see whose story speaks to your heart. That saint will become a companion — someone who has walked the road before you and who prays for you now.

Catholics traditionally have religious medals blessed by a Catholic priest or deacon. The blessing does not turn the medal into a magical object. Rather, the blessing dedicates the object to sacred use and asks God to bless the person who uses it faithfully.

If you have a saint medal that has never been blessed, simply bring it with you to a Catholic parish and ask a priest or deacon if he would bless it. Don't worry if you aren't Catholic. Just tell him you're learning about the faith. He'll understand.

No. Someone who is exploring Christianity or considering becoming Catholic can certainly wear a saint medal. In fact, it can become a simple invitation to prayer. You don't have to understand every Catholic teaching before beginning to ask God to lead you.

You can simply pray: “Saint [name], pray for me. Help me to follow Christ as you did. If the Catholic faith is where God is leading me, give me the courage to follow the truth wherever it leads.” That is a beautiful place to begin.

If you're wearing a saint medal, you don't need an elaborate prayer. A simple prayer from the heart is a wonderful place to start:

Then speak to Jesus. Tell Him what you're afraid of. Tell Him where you've failed. Tell Him what you don't understand. Ask Him for forgiveness. Ask Him for faith. Ask Him to help you follow Him. And then be willing to follow where He leads.

A saint medal isn't really about the metal, the image, or even the saint. It points toward a Person. A medal points to a saint. A saint points to Christ. And Christ points us toward the Father.

So if someone gives you a saint medal, don't simply put it in a drawer. Look at it. Learn about the saint it represents. Wear it if you wish. And let that small piece of metal ask you a much bigger question: Who is God calling you to be?