M
maggieodae
Guest
I might also suggest St. Benedict’s Medal and prayers.
http://www.osb.org/gen/graphics/medgobv.gif
The Medal or Cross of Saint Benedict
On the front side of the medal is the image of St. Benedict. In his right hand he holds a cross, and in his left, his Rule. On each side are pedestals recalling incidents from Gregory’s life of Benedict in which Benedict was saved from poisoning. On a pedestal to the right is the cup of poisoned wine which shattered when he blessed it. On the pedestal to the left is the raven about to carry away a loaf of poisoned bread. Above the cup and the raven are the Latin words: Crux S. Patris Benedicti (The cross of our Holy Father Benedict). Encircling the image of St. Benedict are the words: “Eius in obitu nostro praesentia muniamur!” (“May we be strengthened by his presence in the hour of our death!”). Benedict said one should keep death daily before one’s eyes. He died in a chapel at Montecassino with his arms raised to heaven, supported by his monks, shortly after he had received communion. In small letters under Benedict’s feet is an inscription which reads in Latin “From Montecassino, 1880.”
On the back of the medal there is a cross. On the arms of the cross are the first letters of a poetic Latin prayer: “Crux sacra sit mihi lux! Nunquam draco sit mihi dux!” (“May the holy Cross be my light. May the dragon [devil] never be my guide!”). The letters C S P B in the angles of the cross stand for “Crux Sancti Patris Benedicti” (“The cross of our holy father Benedict”). Above the cross is the word “Pax” (“peace”) which is an ancient Benedictine motto. **Around the edges of the back of the medal the letters V R S N S M V—S M Q L I V B are the initials letters of a Latin prayer of exorcism: “Vade retro satana! Nunquam suade mihi vana! Sunt mala quae libas. Ipse venena bibas!” (“Get back, Satan! Tempt me not with your vanities! The things you offer me are evil. Drink the poison yourself!”). **
Use of the Medal
The medal can be worn around he neck, or attached to a rosary, or kept some place. One custom is to put a St. Benedict medal in the foundations of buildings. In all cases, the purpose is to ask for God’s blessing and protection through the intercession of St. Benedict.
As the inscriptions indicate, the medal is many things: a prayer of exorcism, a prayer for strength, a prayer for a peaceful death, a prayer for peace, a prayer that the Cross of Christ and the gospel will be our light and guide. The medal is a reminder that we need to take up our cross daily and “follow the true King, Christ our Lord,” and so “share with patience in the sufferings of Christ so that we may one day share in his heavenly kingdom.”
http://www.osb.org/gen/graphics/medgobv.gif
The Medal or Cross of Saint Benedict
On the front side of the medal is the image of St. Benedict. In his right hand he holds a cross, and in his left, his Rule. On each side are pedestals recalling incidents from Gregory’s life of Benedict in which Benedict was saved from poisoning. On a pedestal to the right is the cup of poisoned wine which shattered when he blessed it. On the pedestal to the left is the raven about to carry away a loaf of poisoned bread. Above the cup and the raven are the Latin words: Crux S. Patris Benedicti (The cross of our Holy Father Benedict). Encircling the image of St. Benedict are the words: “Eius in obitu nostro praesentia muniamur!” (“May we be strengthened by his presence in the hour of our death!”). Benedict said one should keep death daily before one’s eyes. He died in a chapel at Montecassino with his arms raised to heaven, supported by his monks, shortly after he had received communion. In small letters under Benedict’s feet is an inscription which reads in Latin “From Montecassino, 1880.”
On the back of the medal there is a cross. On the arms of the cross are the first letters of a poetic Latin prayer: “Crux sacra sit mihi lux! Nunquam draco sit mihi dux!” (“May the holy Cross be my light. May the dragon [devil] never be my guide!”). The letters C S P B in the angles of the cross stand for “Crux Sancti Patris Benedicti” (“The cross of our holy father Benedict”). Above the cross is the word “Pax” (“peace”) which is an ancient Benedictine motto. **Around the edges of the back of the medal the letters V R S N S M V—S M Q L I V B are the initials letters of a Latin prayer of exorcism: “Vade retro satana! Nunquam suade mihi vana! Sunt mala quae libas. Ipse venena bibas!” (“Get back, Satan! Tempt me not with your vanities! The things you offer me are evil. Drink the poison yourself!”). **
Use of the Medal
The medal can be worn around he neck, or attached to a rosary, or kept some place. One custom is to put a St. Benedict medal in the foundations of buildings. In all cases, the purpose is to ask for God’s blessing and protection through the intercession of St. Benedict.
As the inscriptions indicate, the medal is many things: a prayer of exorcism, a prayer for strength, a prayer for a peaceful death, a prayer for peace, a prayer that the Cross of Christ and the gospel will be our light and guide. The medal is a reminder that we need to take up our cross daily and “follow the true King, Christ our Lord,” and so “share with patience in the sufferings of Christ so that we may one day share in his heavenly kingdom.”