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J.R. Clifton wrote:

Hi, guys —

Greetings,

I recently purchased a number of religious medals, including those honoring St. Benedict, St. Anthony, St. Christopher, and others. I would like to have my local priest bless these medals using the prayer for the blessing of the Saint Benedict medal found at:

but first wonder if this prayer can be used to bless other medals as well, or if it is just meant for St. Benedict medals.

Nothing in the prayer itself indicates that it is intended specifically for blessing St. Benedict medals only.

J.R.
  { Can the Blessing of the Medal of St. Benedict be used to bless other medals like St. Anthony, St. Christopher, and other medals? }

Magisterium AI (magisterium.com)replied:

J.R.,

One of the new tools we have is Magisterium AI (similar to ChatGPT)

Magisterium AI replied:

The prayer for the blessing of the Saint Benedict medal can be used to bless other medals as well. The Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy states that the rectors of shrines should proceed gradually and prudently in applying the principles contained in the Rituale Romanum, which are based on the fundamental principle that a blessing is an authentic expression of faith in God, the giver of all good things. It also emphasizes the importance of the proclamation of the Word of God and the prayer with which the Church praises God and implores his assistance in the typical structure of a blessing. Additionally, it suggests giving precedence to community celebrations over individual or private celebrations and educating the faithful to active and conscious participation. (Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy: Principles and Guidelines 272)

Furthermore, the General Audience of Pope Francis on 2 December 2020 highlights the importance of blessing as an essential dimension of prayer. It explains that to "bless" means to "speak something good" and that in response to God's blessings, we in turn bless him through our prayers of praise, adoration, and thanksgiving. The Catechism teaches that the prayer of blessing is man's response to God's gifts. (General Audience of 2 December 2020, CCC 2626)

Based on these references, it can be concluded that the prayer for the blessing of the Saint Benedict medal can be used to bless other medals as well. The prayer itself does not indicate that it is intended specifically for blessing St. Benedict medals only, and the principles of blessing outlined in the Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy emphasize the gradual and prudent application of blessings, as well as the importance of the proclamation of the Word of God and the prayer of the Church. Therefore, it is appropriate to have your local priest use this prayer to bless the other medals you have purchased. (Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy: Principles and Guidelines 272, General Audience of 2 December 2020)

References:

  1. Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy: Principles and Guidelines 272
  2. General Audience of 2 December 2020
  3. CCC 2626

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