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Vade retro satana

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Abbreviation of Vade reto satana (V R S N S...) on the reverse of a Saint Benedict Medal.

Vade retro satana ("Go back, Satan" or "Step back, Satan") is a Medieval Catholic formula for exorcism, recorded in a 1415 manuscript found in the Benedictine Metten Abbey in Bavaria[1][2] and its origin is traditionally associated with the Benedictines.

In current Catholic tradition, the formula (sometimes reduced to the vade retro verse) is used to repel any possible evil thing or happening, as a "spoken amulet". The initials of this formula (VRSNSMV SMQLIVB or VRS:NSMV:SMQL:IVB) have often been engraved around crucifixes or Catholic Saint Benedict Medals at least since 1780.[3][4][5]

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.[6]

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.

Text

The Latin text says:

Crux sancta sit mihi lux / Non draco sit mihi dux
Vade retro satana / Numquam suade mihi vana
Sunt mala quae libas / Ipse venena bibas

In approximate translation:

"Let the Holy Cross be my light / Let not the dragon be my guide
Step back Satan / Never tempt me with vain things
What you offer me is evil / You drink the poison yourself."

Origins and history

The verse Vade retro satana is similar to a phrase said by Jesus to Peter in the Vulgate New Testament, Mark 8:33: vade retro me, satana ("Get behind me, Satan!").[7]

Venerable Leo Dupont

The exact origin of the passage is not clear.[8] The passage came to general attention in 1647, when certain women who were persecuted 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,[9] next to an image of St. Benedict. The same formula was later found in an Austrian manuscript from the 14th century.[10]

Following its 1647 rediscovery, the formula was for a time considered a superstition, but soon the formula was struck and sold on talisman medals. In 1742 the formula received the approval of Pope Benedict XIV, and became part of the Roman Catholic ritual. The formula popularity grew considerably in the 19th century, mainy 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."[11] 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.[12]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Martín de Elizalde, Revista Coloquio, n. 4. Italian translation: La Croce di San Benedetto ("The Cross of St. Benedict")
  2. ^ Order of St. Benedict
  3. ^ Journal of the British Archaeological Association, 1858, page 280
  4. ^ Judith Sutera, 1997, The Work of God: Benedictine Prayer Published by Liturgical Press ISBN 0-8146-2431-6 page 109
  5. ^ Lea, Henry Charles (1896) page 520
  6. ^ See for example: Sir Walter Scott, The Fortunes of Nigel, 1822, Ch. 31: "Ne inducas in tentationem—Vade retro, Sathanas!—Amen."
  7. ^ "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.
  8. ^ Ott, M. (1912), Medal of Saint Benedict. In The Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company. Retrieved June 5, 2009 from New Advent: [1]
  9. ^ Manuscript Clm 8210, Munich State Library
  10. ^ Manuscript Helmst 2, p. 35j, Wolfenbüttel Library
  11. ^ 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. ISBN 1-4021-6108-5
  12. ^ De exorcismis et supplicationibus quibusdam Libreria Editrice Vaticana, 2003 ISBN 88-209-4822-2
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