Detailed coin made in solid metal measuring 42 mm diameter and 3 mm thick. The Saint Benedict Medal is a Christian sacramental medal for protection against evil, specifically Satan.
The coin contains symbols and text related to the life of Saint Benedict of Nursia, used by Roman Catholics, as well as Anglicans, Lutherans, Methodists and the Western Orthodox, in the Benedictine Christian tradition, especially votarists and oblates.
The reverse side of the medal carries the Vade retro satana ("Begone, Satan!"). Sometimes carried as part of a rosary, it is also worn separately.
Medals of Saint Benedict are sacramentals that may be blessed legitimately by any priest or deacon, not necessarily a Benedictine.
Long description below:
Saint Benedict Medal, front.
On the front of the medal is Saint Benedict holding a cross in his right hand, the Christian symbol of salvation,[4] and in the left his rulefor monasteries. To Benedict's right, below the cross, is a poisoned cup, a reference to the legend that hostile monks attempted to poison him, and the cup containing poisoned wine shattered when the saint made the sign of the cross over it. To his left, below the rule, the raven that carried off a loaf of poisoned bread. From this is derived the tradition that the medal protects against poisoning.
Above the cup and raven 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 Benedictines regarded him as a particular patron of a happy death.[10]Below the icon of St. Benedict, it is written 'EX SM Casino, MDCCCLXXX' and it means 'Found out from the Casino mountain in 1880.'[11]
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! Numquam draco sit mihi dux!("May the holy cross be my light! May the dragon never be my overlord!").[4] 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: Vade retro Satana! Numquam 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".[10]
