Saint Benedict Medal (Wood)

Front face

On the front side of the medal appears the figure of Benedict of Nursia holding in his right hand a cross (to which tradition attributes great love on the part of the saint), and in his left hand the book of Rules, which he himself wrote, with the prayer for a good death surrounding the figure of the saint: Eius in obitu nostro praesentia muniamur!: “At the hour of our death let us be protected by his presence”, since Saint Benedict is the patron saint of a good death, along with Saint Joseph. In the background of the image appears a poisoned cup, of which, when the saint made the Sign of the Cross, a snake came out. A jealous enemy tried to poison him by giving him a poisoned loaf of bread, but when he tried to eat it, a crow carried it away (these details appear on the medal). In the background of the image the phrase appears Crux sancti patris Benedicti (Cross of the Holy Father Benedict).

Reverse of the medal

The reverse shows the cross of Saint Benedict with the following initials:

• Crux Sancti Patris Benedicti (CSPB): “Cross of the Holy Father Benedict”.
• Crux Sacra Sit Mihi Lux (CSSML): “The Holy Cross be my light” (vertical cross of the cross).
• Non Draco Sit Mihi Dux (NDSMD): “Let not the dragon be my guide” (horizontal cruise).

In a circle, starting from the top to the right:

• Vade Retro Satana! (VRS): “Back off, Satan!” (Vade: "Go". Vintage: "Back").
• Nunquam (according to some versions, it is No N) Suade Mihi Vana! (NSMV): “Banal Things Don't Satisfy Me.”
• Sunt Mala Quae Libas (SMQL): “Your bait is poisonous,” or “what you offer me is bad.”
• Ipse Venena bibas (IVB): “Drink your poison yourself.”
• PAX: "Peace".