THE MEDAL OF ST. BENEDICT
The Cross of Salvation: On the face of the medal is the image of St. Benedict. In his right hand he holds the cross, the Christian's symbol of salvation.
Rule and Raven: In St. Benedict's left hand is his Rule for monastics. On a pedestal to the right is the poisoned cup, shattered when he made the sign of the cross over it. On a pedestal to the left is the raven ready to carry away a loaf of poisoned bread that a jealous enemy had sent to St. Benedict.
C.S.P.B.: Above the cup and the raven are the Latin words: Crux s. patris Benedicti (The Cross of our holy father Benedict). On the margin of the medal, encircling the figure of Benedict, are the latin words: Eius in obitu nostro prasentia muniamur! (May we strengthened by his presence in the hour of our death!)
Monte Cassino: Below St. Benedict
we read: ex SM Casino MDCCCLXXX (from holy Monte Cassino, 1880). This medal was struck to
commemorate the 1400th. anniversary of the birth of St. Benedict.
Crux mihi lux: On the back of the medal, the cross is dominant. On the arms of the cross are the initial letters of a rhythmic Latin prayer: Crux sacra sit mihi lux! Nunquam draco sit mihi dux! (May the holy cross be my light! May the dragon never be my guide!)
Peace: Above the cross is the word PAX (peace), which has been the Benedictine motto for centuries. Around the margin of the back of the medal, the letters V R S N S M V - S M Q L I V B are the initial letters of a Latin prayer of exorcism against Satan: 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!)
RITE TO BE USED IN BLESSING THE MEDAL OF ST. BENEDICT
The Brief of Pope Benedict XIV presented the formula of exorcisms and prayers to be used by the priest, empowered to bless the medals for the indulgences which are granted to them. This formula was presented to the Holy See by Benno Lobl, Abbot of St. Margaret's of Prague; and the sacred Congregation of Indulgences, after having made some few changes it it, approved it by Decree date December 23, 1741. We thought it would be useful to give this blessing, according to the copy printed at Mount Cassino in the year 1844.
Sacerdos professus Ordinis S. Benedicti et priovilegio fruens, indutus stola, ante se habens numismata benedicenda, incipit absolute.
V. Adjutorium nostrum in nomine Domini
R. Qui fecit coelum et terram.
Exorcizo vos, numismata, per Deum Patrem + omnipotentem, qui fecit coelum er terram, mare et omnia quae in eis sunt. Omnis virtus adversarii, omnis exercitus diaboli et omnis incurus, omne phantasma Satanse, eradicare et effugare ab his numismatibus, ut fiant omnibus qui eis usuri sunt salus mentis et corporis, in nomine Dei Patris + omnipotentis, et Jesu + Christi Filii ejus Domini nostri, et Spiritus + Sancti Paracliti et in charitate ejusdem Domini nostri Jesu Christi qui venturus est judicare vivos et mortuos et saeculum per ignem.
R. Amen
Kyrie eleison
Christi eleison
Kyrie eleison
Pater noster.
V. Et ne nos inducas in tentationem.
R. Sed libera nos a malo.
V. Salvos fac servos tuos.
R. Deus meus, sperantes in te.
V. Esto nobis, Domine, turris fortitudinis.
R. A facie inimici.
V. Deus virtutem populo suo dabit.
R. Dominus benedicet populum suum in pace.
V. Mitte eis, Domine, auxilium de Sancto.
R. Et de Sion tuere eos.
V. Domine, exaudi orationem mean.
R. Et clamor meus ad te veniat.
V. Dominus vobiscum.
R. Et cum spiritu tuo.
Oremus
Deus omnipotens, bonorum omnium largitor, supplices te rogamus, ut per intercessionem sancti Patris Benedicti, his sacris numismatibus, litteris et characteribus a te designatis, tuam benedictionem infundas, ut omnes qui ea gestaverint ac bonis operibus intenti fuerint, sanitatem mentis et corporis, et gratiam sanctificationis, atque indulgentias nobis concessas consequi mereantur, omnesque diaboli insidias et fraudes, per auxilium misericordiae tuae, effugere valeant, et in conspectu tuo sancti et immaculati appareant. Per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum Filium tuum, qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitate. Spiritus Sancit Deus, per omnia saecula saeculorum.
R. Amen
Oremus
Domine Jesu, qui voluisti pro totius mundi redemptione de Virgine nasci, circumcidi, a Judaeis reprobari, Judae osculo tradi, vinculis alligari, flagellis caedi, spinis coronari, clavis perforari, inter latrones crucifigi, lancea vulnerari, et tandem in cruce mori: per hanc tuam sanctissimam Passionem humiliter exoro, ut omnes diabolicas insidias et fraudes expellas ab eo, qui Nomen sanctum tuum his litteris et characteribus a te designatis devote invocaverit, et eum ad salutis portum perducere digneris, qui vivis et regnas in saecula saeculorum.
R. Amen
Benedictio Dei Partis +
omnipotentis, et Filii + , et Spiritus + Sancti descendat super haec
numismata ac ea gestantes, et maneat semper, in nomine Patris + et Filii +
et Spiritus + Sancti.
R. Amen
Deinde Sacerdos aspergit numismata aqua benedicta.
(As presented in The Medal or Cross of St. Benedict by Dom Prosper Gueranger, O.S.B.)
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