Discussing a Brief History of Religious Medals and Their Impact


December 9, 2017 Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Google+ Jewelry



Summary: Religious medals play a significant role in those that believe in a higher power’s lives.

In the centuries-old Catholic church, there has always been a history of people using religious medals that date all the way back from pagan practices. Whether it be cross pendants or rosaries – which in fact are not considered jewelry pieces by many. Pre-Christian individuals of nearly every social class wore an amulet that they believed would protect them and even bestow them supernatural powers that would guide them in whatever path they choose in life.

Dating Back to the Early 1500s

The early Catholic Church also adopted a practice that was quite similar to this. While rooted in Christian belief and without pagan superstitions, the Catholic faith developed with pilgrims venturing to sacred sites like St. Peters in Rome and were given a medal that celebrated their journey.

Now, these medals contained an inscription that was designed to encourage further reflection of the wearer’s faith, which essentially meant for those that believed in that faith to continue practicing and following the practices that were laid out in front of them. Now, around the 1500’s, religious medals were being blessed and actually became a standard practice, which further cemented their status as sacramental pieces that became significant treasures within one’s household.

Final Thoughts

Religious jewelry pieces have come a long way since pagan practices. They are now not only sold as items that can be praised, but they’re also fashionable pieces that people wear on a regular basis. You can even find religious jewelry online at stores like Christian.Jewelry or any other jewelry manufacturer. They still carry the same religious value within them, but in a more modern fashion.