Abbreviation of the text of VADE RETRO SATANA (...V R S...) on the reverse of a Saint Benedict Medal.
The phrase vade retro satana (often spelled vade retro satanas, or sathanas) is also used as a witty or scholarly prose device, dissociated from its religious implications, to express strong rejection of an unacceptable (but possibly tempting) proposal, or dread of some looming menace. Namely, in the sense of "do not tempt me!", "I will have nothing to do with that", "will someone deliver us from that", and so on.[7]
Image of Saint Benedict with a cross and a scroll stating Vade retro satana based on the last page of the 1415 book found in the library of Metten Abbey
The exact origin of the passage is not clear.[10] It is found in an early thirteenth century legend of the Devil's Bridge at Sens, wherein an architect sold his soul to the devil and then subsequently repented. M. le Curé of Sens, wearing his stole, exorcised the devil, driving him away with holy water and these words, which he made the penitent repeat.[11]
The passage came to general attention in 1647, when women who were prosecuted for witchcraft declared that they had been unable to do harm where there was a cross, and the St. Michael's Benedictine Abbey in Metten was particularly exempt from their influence.[1] A search of the monastery turned up crosses painted on the walls with the formula's initials. The meaning of those letters remained a mystery for some time, until the complete verses were found in a manuscript dating to 1415 in the abbey's library,[12] next to an image of St. Benedict.
The same formula was later found in an Austrian manuscript from 1340/50.[13] The manuscript depicts Satan offering a drinking cup to the Saint, who keeps him at bay with a long cross-topped staff carrying a red banner. Below the staff is a single line of text, and below it are six lines of verse, starting with "Vade retro Satana".
Satan offers a cup to the Saint, who keeps him at bay. (Detail from the medieval Austrian manuscript Heinemann Nr 40 first published around 1340.)
^ "Evangelium Secundum Marcum". Nova Vulgata Bibliorum Sacrorum Editio (in Latin). Holy See. Retrieved 2008-11-04.; "The Gospel According to Mark". New American Bible. Holy See. Retrieved 2009-11-27.
^Dom Prosper Gueranger. "The Medal or Cross of St Benedict". www.liturgialatina.org. Retrieved 2018-08-05.
^Ott, M. (1912). "Medal of Saint Benedict". The Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company. Retrieved June 5, 2009.
^"Odd Phrases in Literature", The Irish Quarterly Review, Volume 6, Part 1, 1856, note p. 683
^Lea, Henry Charles (1896) A History of Auricular Confession and Indulgences in the Latin Church; Volume III: Indulgences. Philadelphia: Lea Brothers & Co. Reprinted 2002, Adamant Media Corp. ISBN1-4021-6108-5
^Lea, Henry Charles (1896). A History of Auricular Confession and Indulgences in the Latin Church: Indulgences. Lea brothers & Company.
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VADE RETRO SATANA Ecclesiastical Latin for Go back Satan or Step back Satan Back off Satan is a medieval Western Christian formula for exorcism recorded in a 1415 manuscript found in the Benedictine Metten Abbey in Bavaria 1 2 its origin is traditionally associated with the Benedictines A The initials of this formula VRSNSMV SMQLIVB or VRS NSMV SMQL IVB have often been engraved around crucifixes or Western Christian Saint Benedict Medals at least since 1780 3 4 5 6 Abbreviation of the text of VADE RETRO SATANA V R S on the reverse of a Saint Benedict Medal The phrase vade retro satana often spelled vade retro satanas or sathanas is also used as a witty or scholarly prose device dissociated from its religious implications to express strong rejection of an unacceptable but possibly tempting proposal or dread of some looming menace Namely in the sense of do not tempt me I will have nothing to do with that will someone deliver us from that and so on 7 Contents 1 Text 2 Origins and history 3 See also 4 References 4 1 Notes 4 2 CitationsText Edit Image of Saint Benedict with a cross and a scroll stating Vade retro satana based on the last page of the 1415 book found in the library of Metten Abbey The Ecclesiastical Latin text says CRUX SACRA SIT MIHI LUX NON DRACO SIT MIHI DUX VADE RETRO SATANA NUNQUAM SUADE MIHI VANA SUNT MALA QUAE LIBAS IPSE VENENA BIBAS In approximate translation May the Holy Cross be my light May the dragon never be my guide Begone Satan Never tempt me with your vanities What you offer me is evil drink the poison yourself Origins and history EditThe verse VADE RETRO SATANA is similar to a phrase spoken by Jesus to Peter in the Vulgate New Testament Gospel of Mark 8 33 vade retro me satana Get behind me Satan Mark 8 33 8 9 The exact origin of the passage is not clear 10 It is found in an early thirteenth century legend of the Devil s Bridge at Sens wherein an architect sold his soul to the devil and then subsequently repented M le Cure of Sens wearing his stole exorcised the devil driving him away with holy water and these words which he made the penitent repeat 11 Venerable Leo Dupont The passage came to general attention in 1647 when women who were prosecuted for witchcraft declared that they had been unable to do harm where there was a cross and the St Michael s Benedictine Abbey in Metten was particularly exempt from their influence 1 A search of the monastery turned up crosses painted on the walls with the formula s initials The meaning of those letters remained a mystery for some time until the complete verses were found in a manuscript dating to 1415 in the abbey s library 12 next to an image of St Benedict The same formula was later found in an Austrian manuscript from 1340 50 13 The manuscript depicts Satan offering a drinking cup to the Saint who keeps him at bay with a long cross topped staff carrying a red banner Below the staff is a single line of text and below it are six lines of verse starting with Vade retro Satana Satan offers a cup to the Saint who keeps him at bay Detail from the medieval Austrian manuscript Heinemann Nr 40 first published around 1340 The formula received the approval of Pope Benedict XIV and became part of the Roman Catholic ritual in 1742 The formula s popularity grew considerably in the 19th century mainly due to the efforts of Leo Dupont According to H C Lea 1896 As a rule it suffices to wear the medal devoutly but if some special favor is desired it is advisable on a Tuesday to say five Glorias three Aves and then three more Glorias to secure the protection of St Benedict 14 15 The VADE RETRO SATANA remains part of the Roman Catholic ritual following the 20th century revision of the ritual and its final promulgation in 1999 via De exorcismis et supplicationibus quibusdam 16 See also EditApageReferences EditNotes Edit The Benedictine monastic tradition is found in all major historic Christian denominations such as the Abbey of Saint Joseph de Clairval of the Catholic Church the Ostanback Monastery of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Sweden the Saint Finian Orthodox Abbey of Western Orthodoxy the Holy Cross Monastery of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America and the Saint Brigid of Kildare Monastery of the United Methodist Church for example Citations Edit a b Martin de Elizalde Revista Coloquio n 4 Italian translation La Croce di San Benedetto The Cross of St Benedict Order of St Benedict Osb org Retrieved 2013 04 22 Journal of the British Archaeological Association 1858 page 280 Judith Sutera 1997 The Work of God Benedictine Prayer Published by Liturgical Press ISBN 0 8146 2431 6 page 109 Lea Henry Charles 1896 page 520 Ann Ball 2003 Encyclopedia of Catholic Devotions and Practices ISBN 0 87973 910 X pages 350 351 See for example Sir Walter Scott The Fortunes of Nigel 1822 Ch 31 Ne inducas in tentationem Vade retro Sathanas Amen Evangelium Secundum Marcum Nova Vulgata Bibliorum Sacrorum Editio in Latin Holy See Retrieved 2008 11 04 The Gospel According to Mark New American Bible Holy See Retrieved 2009 11 27 Dom Prosper Gueranger The Medal or Cross of St Benedict www liturgialatina org Retrieved 2018 08 05 Ott M 1912 Medal of Saint Benedict The Catholic Encyclopedia New York Robert Appleton Company Retrieved June 5 2009 Odd Phrases in Literature The Irish Quarterly Review Volume 6 Part 1 1856 note p 683 Manuscript Clm 8210 Bavarian State Library Cod Guelf 35a Helmst Biblia pauperum 14 Jh Wolfenbuttel Library image 3 Lea Henry Charles 1896 A History of Auricular Confession and Indulgences in the Latin Church Volume III Indulgences Philadelphia Lea Brothers amp Co Reprinted 2002 Adamant Media Corp ISBN 1 4021 6108 5 Lea Henry Charles 1896 A History of Auricular Confession and Indulgences in the Latin Church Indulgences Lea brothers amp Company De exorcismis et supplicationibus quibusdam Libreria Editrice Vaticana 2003 ISBN 88 209 4822 2 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Vade retro satana amp oldid 1126109965, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
