BENEMERENTI. - It is the title of the medal instituted by the Supreme Pontiffs, from Pius VII onward, for those who by distinguished deeds have deserved a public testimony of the sovereign's favor. The b. medal is of three sizes: large, medium and small, according to the acts that are to be rewarded.
Gregory XVI in 1831 had a special b. medal of medium size struck to reward the subjects who had remained faithful to the pontifical government in the disastrous events of 1831, and Pius IX did the same in 1848 for those who had fought at Ferrara, Bologna and Vicenza, and in 1849 for those soldiers who had remained faithful to him. Pius X, in 1910, created a special b. medal to be granted by preference to military men. Pius XI, in 1925, instituted two special b. medals for the benefactors (bodies and private individuals) of the missionary exhibition and of the celebration of the Holy Year. There also exists a special b. medal for the Palatine Guard of Honor of His Holiness.
The b. medal, a badge of honor, is at present granted by the Supreme Pontiff by means of a diploma of the Secretariat of State. Together with the diploma, the medal is delivered to the beneficiary.
It is of metal (gold, silver and bronze): on the obverse it bears the effigy of the reigning Pontiff and the legend recalling his name, on the reverse the laurel wreath and the word: B.; it is suspended from a yellow ribbon with a white thread at the side edges and is pinned to the breast.