We honor today the father of Monasticism, Saint Benedict, and we pay for all the Benedictines around the world who follow the Rule of St Benedict, comprised of 73 short chapters. The Rule encourages a Christo-centric life and also gives recommendations about how to deal with our brothers (and sisters), as well as some administrative rules on how to run a monastery. St Benedict was a twin and along with his twin sister St Scholastica, they are both revered as saints. The most famous Benedictine Abbey is in Monte Cassino near Rome, which was heavily bombed during World War II, but many other beautiful monasteries are around the world, especially in Germany, France, Italy, England and the USA.
The
well-known medal of St Benedict is very descriptive and has acronyms in Latin
on how to attack the devil and protect oneself from danger. Formal approval for its use was
given by Pope Benedict XIV in the 18th
century. The medal is used by Catholics to ward off spiritual and physical
dangers, especially those related to evil, poison, and temptation. On the front
of the medal is Saint Benedict holding a cross in his right hand, the object of
his devotion, and in the left his rule for monasteries. In the back is a
poisoned cup, in reference to the legend of Benedict, which explains that hostile
monks attempted to poison him: the cup containing poisoned wine shattered when
the saint made the sign of the cross over it (and a raven carried away a
poisoned loaf of bread). Above the cup are the words "Crux Sancti Patris
Benedicti" (The Cross of
our Holy Father Benedict). Surrounding the figure of Saint Benedict are the
words “Eius In Obitu
Nostro Praesentia Muniamur!” (May
we be strengthened by his presence in the hour of our death), since he was
always regarded by the Benedictines as the patron of a happy death.
On the back is a cross, containing the letters C S S M L - N D S M D, initials of the words "Crux Sacra Sit Mihi Lux! Non
Draco Sit Mihi Dux!" (May
the holy cross be my light! May the dragon never be my overlord!). The
large C S P B stand for Crux Sancti Patris Benedicti (The Cross of [our] Holy Father
Benedict). Surrounding the back of the medal are the letters V R S N S M V - S M Q L I V B, in reference to “Vade Retro Satana! Nunquam Suade
Mihi Vana! Sunt Mala Quae Libas. Ipse Venena Bibas!" (Begone Satan! Never tempt me
with your vanities! What you offer me is evil. Drink the poison yourself!) and
finally, located at the top is the word PAX which
means "peace."
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