Medal of Saint Benedict

The Medal of Saint Benedict is a sacramental medal containing symbols and inscriptions associated with Benedict of Norcia. It is traced back to an old manuscript preserved at the Benedictine abbey of Sankt Michael near Regensburg.St Michael's Abbey. On the obverse, Saint Benedict is depicted holding a cross in his right hand, the Christian symbol of salvation, and his monastic rule in his left hand.RuleMonastic To Benedict's right, beneath the cross, is a poisoned chalice, referencing the legend that hostile monks attempted to poison him, and the cup containing poisoned wine shattered when the saint made thesign of the cross upon it. To his left, beneath the rule, is the raven carrying away a poisoned loaf of bread. From this stems the tradition that the medal protects against poisoning.

Above the chalice and raven are the words CRUX SANCTI PATRIS BENEDICTI ("The cross of our Holy Father Benedict"). Around the figure of Saint Benedict are the words EIUS IN OBITU NRO (nostro) PRAESENTIA MUNIAMUR ("May we be strengthened by his presence at the hour of our death"), as the Benedictines considered him a particular protector for a happy death.

On the reverse, the large C S P B stands for Crux Sancti Patris Benedicti ("The cross of our Holy Father Benedict"). The cross, however, contains 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 devil never be my guide!"). Around the reverse of the medal are the letters V R S N S M V - S M Q L I V B, referring to Vade retro Satana - Numquam suade mihi vana - Sunt mala quae libas - Ipse venena bibas ("Begone Satan! Never tempt me with vanity! Evil are the things you offer. Drink the poisons yourself!") Finally, at the top is the word PAX which means "peace".