Medals, crosses, rosaries, statues, paintings, and other religious articles have long been used as a means of fostering and expressing our religious devotion to God and the saints. The use of any religious article is therefore intended as a means of reminding us of God and of stirring up in us a ready willingness and desire to serve God and our neighbor. With this understanding we reject any use of religious articles as if they were mere charms or had some magic power to bring us good luck or better health. Such is not the Christian attitude. For the early Christians, the cross was a favorite symbol and badge of their faith in Christ. From the writings of St. Gregory the Great (540-604), we know that St. Benedict had a deep faith in the Cross and worked miracles with the sign of the cross. This faith in, and special devotion to, the Cross was passed on to succeeding generations of Benedictines. Devotion to the Cross of Christ also gave rise to the striking of medals that bore the image of St. Benedict holding a cross aloft in his right hand and his Rule for Monestaries in the other hand. Thus, the Cross has always been closely associated with the Medal of St. Benedict, which is often referred to as the Medal-Cross of St. Benedict.
Meaning of the Symbols The Letters CSPB in the 4 angles around the cross stand for Crux Sancti Patris Benedicti , the Latin for "Cross of the Holy Father Benedict."
Around the outer edge of the of the medal are the letters V.R.S.N.S.M.V.-- S.M.Q.L.I.V.B, which stand for the Latin Vade Retro Satana (Begone Satan) Nunquam Suade Mihi Vana (Never Suggest Vain Things to Me), Sunt Mala Quae Libas (What You Offer Me is Evil) Ipse Venena Bibas (Drink your own Poison).
At the top of the medal is stamped the Benedictine motto, "PAX" meaning "PEACE." On the back of the medal is the figure of Benedict holding a cross and the Holy Rule. On his right is the poisoned cup (snake inside) which broke when he made the sign of the cross over it. On his left is the pet raven carrying away the loaf of poisoned bread. Inscribed above the cup and raven are the words Crux S. Patris Benedicti - meaning "Cross of Holy Father Benedict." The outer edge of the medal bears the inscription: Eius In Orbitu Nostro Preasentia Muniamur: "May We Be Strengthened By His Presence At Our Death." Below the feet of Benedict are the date and place of the first casting of the medal:EX S M CASSINO MDCCCLXXX - "Archabbey of Monte Cassino 1880."
If you are interested in receiving a prayer book, holy card, and blessed medal of St Benedict please consider making a donation today! A minimum of $5.00 to pay for shipping. The medal is made from high quality pewter and is approx 3/4". The prayer book is 4x6 paperback with 48 pages. A nice gift or keepsake.