SAINT MEDALS
Saints: Patron Saint of:
Infant of Prague Family life, children, freedom, finances and vocations.
Mother Francis Cabrini Emigrants. December 22
Our Lady of Guadalupe The Americas. December 12 celebrates Mary’s appearance to Juan
Diego in 1531 which led to the conversion of millions of Mexicans. The
shrine built in her honor to remember this appearance is a national
treasure.
Our Lady of Loreto Aviators, flight attendants, builders, and construction workers. Italy.
Our Lady of Providence Puerto Rico. November 19
St. Andrew Fisherman and elderly maids. November 30
St. Anne Cabinetmakers, housewives and women in labor. July 26
St. Anthony Lost and found and the poor. June 13
St. Barbara Architechs, stone masons, gunners, prisoners, the dying, fireman and
minors. December 4
St. Christoper Travelers and motorists. July 25
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Opened the first parochial school in the United States. January 4
St. Florian Firefighters, brewers, Poland and Austria. May 4
St. Francis of Assisi Merchants, Catholic action and Italy. October 4
St. George Boy scouts, soldiers, farmers and England. April 23
St. Gerard Expectant mothers. October 16
St. John Baptist The greatest prophet. June 24
St. John Neumann First U.S. bishop saint. January 5
St. John the Evangelist Asia Minor. December 27
St. Joseph Families, the dying, workers and the universal church. March 19
St. Jude Thaddeus Hospitals and desperate causes. October 28
St. Lazarus Hospitals and lepers. June 21
St. Lucy Eye trouble. December 13
St. Luke Physicians, artists, brewers, butchers, painters and glass workers.
October 18
St. Mark Notaries. April 25
St. Martha Homemakers, cooks, and servants. July 29
St. Matthew Bankers and bookkeepers. September 21
St. Michael Policemen and radiologists. September 29
St. Nicholas Children, bakers and Russia. December 6
St. Patrick Ireland. March 17
St. Paul Evangelists. January 25
St. Peregrine Cancer patients. May 2
St. Peter Fisherman. June 29
St. Roch Invalids, bahelors, knee problems, surgeons and tile makers. August 16
St. Theresa Florists, aviators and foreign missions. She is known as the "Little Flower."
October 1
JUDAICA
Symbols: Meaning:
12 Tribes Star of David Includes symbols for the 12 tribes of Israel, formed by Jacob’s 12 sons.
Chai A symbol of well–being and best wishes. Means "alive" or "living."
Chamseh ⁄ Hamsa Meaning "Hand of God," it is very popular in Morocco and known for
warding off evil.
Menorah Represents the continuation of the Jewish people.
Mezuzah A replica of the Shema, it includes the passage from Deuteronomy 6:4–9,
11:13–21, which serves as a reminder of God’'s presence everywhere.
Mizpah Recalling the agreement between Laban and Jacob in the Old Testament,
the Mizpah is two halves of a coin, each worn by a friend to show their
friendship.
Shin The 22nd letter of the Hebrew alphabet, the Shin is the first letter in
Shaddai, which means "guardian of the doors of Israel" and is one of the
names of God meaning, "Almighty."
Star of David A central symbol for Judaism and the flag of Israel.
Torah The first five books of the Hebrew scriptures and the whole body of Jewish
laws.
CHRISTIAN
Medals and Symbols: Meaning:
Angels Means "messenger." Angels are pure spirits who carry out God’s mission.
Caridad de Cobre Our Lady of Charity. The Virgin Mary is credited with saving Cubans Juan
Moreno and the brothers Joyos from a storm at sea and interceding for
Cuban independence, won in 1898.
Circle of 12 Stars The circle of 12 stars depicts the Immaculate Conception and Mary as the
Queen of Heaven.
Dove Symbolizes the Holy Spirit and recalls Pentecost when the Holy Spirit was
sent in Christ’s place.
Face of Jesus Ecce Homo means "the face of Jesus."
Four Way Medal Includes the Scared Heart at the top, St. Christoper on the right, Miraculous
at the bottom and St. Joseph on the left and is known as a cruciform. On
the back is written, "I am a Catholic, please call a priest."
Guardian Angels Assigned by God to look over each person in this world. The feast day is
October 2.
Ichthus (fish) In Greek, the initials of "Jesus Christ, Son of God Savior" spell the Greek
word ichthus, "fish."
Matka Boska Our Lady of Czestochowa. Numerous miracles are associated with this
painting of the Holy Mother and child by St. Luke. The feast day is May 3.
Miraculous Medal Featuring an "M" and cross with two stars, Mary instructed St. Catherine
Laboure of Paris to create and distribute this medal in 1830.
Our Lady of Fatima Recalls the six appearances of Mary to three children in Fatima, Portugal in
1917 when Mary asked the children to sacrifice on behalf of the sinners in
the world and pray the rosary. Celebrated on May 13.
Our Lady of Lourdes February 11 celebrates Mary's visit to St. Bernadette in Lourdes in 1858
where she introduced herself as the Immaculate Conception.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Many miracles have occured at Mt. Carmel throughout Biblical history,
including Elijah’s plea for rain. In the 12th century, Christian hermits
believed the appearance of a cloud above symbolized Mary who brought life
to a parched world.
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Very popular among Orthodox Christians, this image recalls a story from
Jesus’ youth when two angels brought him the cross and tools of crucifixion,
and the young Jesus ran to his mother for comfort.
Our Lady of Sorrows September 15 recalls the pain and suffering of Mary as the Mother of God.
Our Lady of the Assumption Celebrated August 15, this feast day recalls when the angels of God took
the body and soul of Mary the Mother of God to heaven.
Pope John Paul II He helped bring down the Iron Curtain in the 1980's and has effected much
of history.
Queen of the Holy Scapular Mary promised that anyone wearing this metal in death would not suffer
eternal fire.
Sacred Heart of Jesus The feast of the Scared Heart of Jesus celebrates the physical and divine
heart of Jesus Christ. It remembers Jesus’ redeeming love.
San Juan de Los Lagos In 1623 prayers to the Virgin Mary by the people in Jalisco, Mexico brought
about the Virgin’s intercession for a young girl who had died to be brought
back to life.
CROSSES & CRUCIFIXES
Name: Meaning:
Ankh (Egyptian) Cross Taken from the Egyptian hieroglyphics image meaning "life."
Budded Cross Represents the Holy Trinity with a trefoil at each end of the cross.
Cara Vaca Cross During the Moor occupation of 1231 in Cara Vaca, Spain, the Pectoral cross of
the Patriarch of Jerusalem appeared through a window, enabling an imprisoned
priest to say mass for curious and angry captives.
Celtic and Iona Crosses Originating in Ireland and taken to the Island of Iona by St. Columba. The circle
around this cross symbolizes eternal life.
Claddagh Cross The heart is for love, the crown for loyalty and the hands, friendship.
Corpus Refers to the body of Christ (Crucified Christ).
Crucifix Crosses with a representation of the body of Christ that recall His death and
resurrection.
Eastern Orthodox Cross The top bar represents the inscription posted by Pilate, "Jesus of Nazareth,
King of the Jews," and the slanted lower bar represents the footrest of Christ.
The Eastern Orthodox cross is also known as a Greek Orthodox, Russian
Orthodox, Byzantine and St. Olga cross.
Fleur de lis Symbolizes the Virgin Mary, Queen of Heaven. A royal symbol of France.
Greek Cross One of the oldest forms of the cross. Used by early Christians to disguise the
cross when Christianity was illegal.
INRI Stands for Jesus Nazarenus Rex ludaeorem, meaning "Jesus of Nazareth, King
of the Jews."
Jerusalem Cross Consists of tau crosses which represent the Old Testament and four small
Greek crosses which represent the fulfillment of the law in the gospels. Also
known as a Crusader’s cross.
Latin Cross One of the oldest forms of the cross, it is also the form of the true cross.
Mariner Cross Reminds us that Christ is our anchor, our hope.
Methodist Cross Official symbol of the United Methodist Church. The flame of the Holy Spirit
sweeps the side of the cross.
Passion Cross The points at the end represent the suffering of Christ at His crucifixion.
St. Andrew Cross According to tradition, St. Andrew felt unworthy to be crucified like Christ so he
asked that his cross be different.
RELIGIOUS SYMBOLS