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[[Image:St benedict medal-2006 04 24.png|thumb|Abbreviation of the text of ''VADE RETRO SATANA'' (...V R S...) on the reverse of a [[Saint Benedict Medal]].]]
[[Image:St benedict medal-2006 04 24.png|thumb|Abbreviation of the text of ''VADE RETRO SATANA'' (...V R S...) on the reverse of a [[Saint Benedict Medal]].]]


'''''VADE RETRO SATANA''''' ("Go back, [[Satan]]" or "Step back, Satan", "Back off, Satan") is a [[Middle Ages|Medieval]] [[Catholicism|Catholic]] formula for [[exorcism]], recorded in a 1415 [[manuscript]] found in the [[Benedictine]] [[Metten Abbey]] in [[Bavaria]];<ref name="ora"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.osb.org/gen/patterson/02origin.html |title=Order of St. Benedict |publisher=Osb.org |date= |accessdate=2013-04-22}}</ref> its origin is traditionally associated with the [[Benedictines]].
'''''VADE RETRO SATANA''''' ("Go back, [[Satan]]" or "Step back, Satan", "Back off, Satan") is a [[Middle Ages|Medieval]] [[Catholicism|Catholic]] formula for [[exorcism]], recorded in a 1415 [[manuscript]] found in the [[Benedictine]] [[Metten Abbey]] in [[Bavaria]];<ref name="ora"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.osb.org/gen/patterson/02origin.html |title=Order of St. Benedict |publisher=Osb.org |date= |accessdate=2013-04-22}}</ref> its origin is traditionally associated with the [[Benedictines]]. The initials of this formula (VRSNSMV SMQLIVB or VRS:NSMV:SMQL:IVB) have often been engraved around [[crucifix]]es or Catholic [[Saint Benedict Medal]]s at least since 1780.<ref>Journal of the British Archaeological Association, 1858, page 280</ref><ref>Judith Sutera, 1997, ''The Work of God: Benedictine Prayer'' Published by Liturgical Press {{ISBN|0-8146-2431-6}} page 109</ref><ref>Lea, Henry Charles (1896) page 520</ref><ref name=Ball350>Ann Ball, 2003 ''Encyclopedia of Catholic Devotions and Practices'' {{ISBN|0-87973-910-X}} pages 350–351</ref>

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 sacramental". The initials of this formula (VRSNSMV SMQLIVB or VRS:NSMV:SMQL:IVB) have often been engraved around [[crucifix]]es or Catholic [[Saint Benedict Medal]]s at least since 1780.<ref>Journal of the British Archaeological Association, 1858, page 280</ref><ref>Judith Sutera, 1997, ''The Work of God: Benedictine Prayer'' Published by Liturgical Press {{ISBN|0-8146-2431-6}} page 109</ref><ref>Lea, Henry Charles (1896) page 520</ref><ref name=Ball350>Ann Ball, 2003 ''Encyclopedia of Catholic Devotions and Practices'' {{ISBN|0-87973-910-X}} pages 350–351</ref>


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.<ref>See for example: [[Sir Walter Scott]], ''[[The Fortunes of Nigel]]'', 1822, Ch. 31: ''"Ne inducas in tentationem—Vade retro, Sathanas!—Amen."''</ref>
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.<ref>See for example: [[Sir Walter Scott]], ''[[The Fortunes of Nigel]]'', 1822, Ch. 31: ''"Ne inducas in tentationem—Vade retro, Sathanas!—Amen."''</ref>
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==Origins and history==
==Origins and history==
The verse ''VADE RETRO SATANA'' is similar to a phrase spoken by [[Jesus]] to [[Saint Peter|Peter]] in the [[Vulgate]] [[New Testament]], [[Gospel of Mark]] {{bibleref2-nb|Mark|8:33|VULGATE}}: ''vade retro me satana'' ("[[Get behind me Satan]]!"{{bibleref2c|Mark|8:33}}).<ref> {{cite web |url=http://www.vatican.va/archive/bible/nova_vulgata/documents/nova-vulgata_nt_evang-marcum_lt.html |title=Evangelium Secundum Marcum |work=Nova Vulgata Bibliorum Sacrorum Editio |publisher= [[Holy See]] |language= Latin |accessdate=2008-11-04}}; {{cite web |url=http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0839/__PWA.HTM |title=The Gospel According to Mark |work=New American Bible |publisher= [[Holy See]] |accessdate=2009-11-27}}</ref> [[Image:LeoDupont.jpg|thumb|left|[[Venerable]] [[Leo Dupont]]]] The exact origin of the passage is not clear.<ref>{{cite web |last=Ott |first=M. |year=1912 |title= Medal of Saint Benedict |work= The Catholic Encyclopedia |location=New York |publisher=Robert Appleton Company |accessdate=June 5, 2009 |url=http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/13338a.htm}}</ref> 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 [[Metten Abbey|St. Michael's Benedictine Abbey in Metten]] was particularly exempt from their influence.<ref name="ora">[[Martín de Elizalde]], [[Revista Coloquio]], n. 4. [[Italian language|Italian]] translation: [http://www.ora-et-labora.net/croce.html La Croce di San Benedetto] ("The Cross of St. Benedict")</ref> 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,<ref name="clm8201">Manuscript Clm 8210, [[Bavarian State Library]]</ref> next to an image of St. Benedict.
The verse ''VADE RETRO SATANA'' is similar to a phrase spoken by [[Jesus]] to [[Saint Peter|Peter]] in the [[Vulgate]] [[New Testament]], [[Gospel of Mark]] {{bibleref2-nb|Mark|8:33|VULGATE}}: ''vade retro me satana'' ("[[Get behind me Satan]]!"{{bibleref2c|Mark|8:33}}).<ref> {{cite web |url=http://www.vatican.va/archive/bible/nova_vulgata/documents/nova-vulgata_nt_evang-marcum_lt.html |title=Evangelium Secundum Marcum |work=Nova Vulgata Bibliorum Sacrorum Editio |publisher= [[Holy See]] |language= Latin |accessdate=2008-11-04}}; {{cite web |url=http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0839/__PWA.HTM |title=The Gospel According to Mark |work=New American Bible |publisher= [[Holy See]] |accessdate=2009-11-27}}</ref>
[[Image:LeoDupont.jpg|thumb|left|[[Venerable]] [[Leo Dupont]]]]
The exact origin of the passage is not clear.<ref>{{cite web |last=Ott |first=M. |year=1912 |title= Medal of Saint Benedict |work= The Catholic Encyclopedia |location=New York |publisher=Robert Appleton Company |accessdate=June 5, 2009 |url=http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/13338a.htm}}</ref> 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.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=A74RAAAAYAAJ&pg=RA1-PA683&dq=Vade+retro+satana&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjN5ej7mMfmAhVqUd8KHfXFAvoQ6AEwBnoECAgQAg#v=onepage&q=Vade%20retro%20satana&f=false "Odd Phrases in Literature", ''The Irish Quarterly Review'', Volume 6, Part 1, 1856, note p. 683]</ref>
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 [[Metten Abbey|St. Michael's Benedictine Abbey in Metten]] was particularly exempt from their influence.<ref name="ora">Martín de Elizalde, ''Revista Coloquio'', n. 4. Italian translation: [http://www.ora-et-labora.net/croce.html La Croce di San Benedetto] ("The Cross of St. Benedict")</ref> 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,<ref name="clm8201">Manuscript Clm 8210, [[Bavarian State Library]]</ref> next to an image of St. Benedict.


The same formula was later found in an [[Austria]]n manuscript from 1340/50.<ref name="Helmst">[http://diglib.hab.de/mss/35a-helmst/start.htm?image=000003 Cod. Guelf. 35a Helmst. (Biblia pauperum, 14. Jh.), Wolfenbüttel Library], image 3</ref> 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 Sathana".
The same formula was later found in an [[Austria]]n manuscript from 1340/50.<ref name="Helmst">[http://diglib.hab.de/mss/35a-helmst/start.htm?image=000003 Cod. Guelf. 35a Helmst. (Biblia pauperum, 14. Jh.), Wolfenbüttel Library], image 3</ref> 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 Sathana".

Revision as of 17:08, 21 December 2019

Abbreviation of the text of VADE RETRO SATANA (...V R S...) on the reverse of a Saint Benedict Medal.

VADE RETRO SATANA ("Go back, Satan" or "Step back, Satan", "Back off, Satan") is a Medieval Catholic 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. 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][6]

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]

Text

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 Latin text says:

CRUX SACRA 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 are evils / May you drink the poison yourself."

Origins and history

The 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]

Venerable Leo Dupont

The exact origin of the passage is not clear.[9] 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.[10]

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,[11] next to an image of St. Benedict.

The same formula was later found in an Austrian manuscript from 1340/50.[12] 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 Sathana".

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."[13]

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.[14]

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". Osb.org. Retrieved 2013-04-22.
  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. ^ Ann Ball, 2003 Encyclopedia of Catholic Devotions and Practices ISBN 0-87973-910-X pages 350–351
  7. ^ See for example: Sir Walter Scott, The Fortunes of Nigel, 1822, Ch. 31: "Ne inducas in tentationem—Vade retro, Sathanas!—Amen."
  8. ^ "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.
  9. ^ Ott, M. (1912). "Medal of Saint Benedict". The Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company. Retrieved June 5, 2009.
  10. ^ "Odd Phrases in Literature", The Irish Quarterly Review, Volume 6, Part 1, 1856, note p. 683
  11. ^ Manuscript Clm 8210, Bavarian State Library
  12. ^ Cod. Guelf. 35a Helmst. (Biblia pauperum, 14. Jh.), Wolfenbüttel Library, image 3
  13. ^ 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
  14. ^ De exorcismis et supplicationibus quibusdam Libreria Editrice Vaticana, 2003 ISBN 88-209-4822-2
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