The St. Benedict Medal is the Church's ancient medal of protection. It carries the traditional St. Benedict cross with the shattered poison cup and the raven from the accounts recorded in Pope St. Gregory the Great's Dialogues, along with a set of Latin prayers. Pope Benedict XIV formally approved the medal and its blessing in 1741 and 1742, and it was entered into the Roman Ritual as a sacramental for the protection of persons, homes, and travelers.