Saint Benedict's Jubilee Medal

I quote a further passage from the Lay Oblates Manual found during my stay at Prinknash in early November.

There are two different medals of Saint Benedict, the ordinary and the Jubilee medals.  The Jubilee Medal is so called because it was struck in 1880 on the fourteen centenary of the birth of Saint Benedict.  This medal has all the indulgencies which have been conferred in the past on the ordinary medal by Sovereign Pontiffs, and especially by Benedict XIV; but, besides these, it has been enriched by Popes Pius IX and X with special spiritual favours.  Amongst others it may be mentioned the plenary indulgencies for the 2^nd of November.  This indulgence, commonly known as the Benedictine Portiuncula, because of its resemblance to the indulgence of the 2^nd of August, begins at midday of All Saints’ Day, and ends the day after, 2^nd November, at midnight.  The conditions necessary for the gaining of this indulgence are: confession, communion and a visit to a church or public chapel to pray for the intentions of the Pope.  A special feature of this indulgence consists of the fact that it may be gained as often as a visit is made to the church.  Numerous other plenary indulgencies are granted during the year to the faithful who wear the Jubilee Medal.

 

 

On the face of the medal is the image of Saint Benedict.

In his left hand is his 'Rule'.

In his right hand he holds the cross, the symbol of salvation.  In this instance the cross is a reminder of the evangelisation of Europe carried out in the main by the Benedictine monks and nuns, especially during the latter half of the first millennium.

To the left can be seen a raven ready to fly off with a loaf of bread poisoned by a jealous enemy and sent to St. Benedict.  To the right is the poisoned cup, which shattered when he made the sign of the cross over it.  

Above the cup and the raven are the Latin words:  Crux s. patris Benedicti.  The Cross of our holy father Benedict.

Around the outer edges:  Eius in obitu nostro praesentia muniamur.  May we be strengthened by his presence in the hour of our death.

 

Explanation of Letters on the Cross

 

In the Intersections: C. S. P. B. Crux Sancti Patris Benedicti Cross of Saint Benedict

On the horizontal line: N. D. S. M. D. Non Draco Sit Mihi Dux May the dragon not be my guide

On the Vertical Line:

C. S. S. M. L.

Crux Sacra Sit Mihi Lux

    May the Holy Cross by my light

 

From the word PAX around the edge (clockwise):

V. R. S. Vade Retro Satana Get thee behind me Satan	N. S. M. V. Nunquam Suade Mihi Vana Never teach me vanity
S. M. Q. L. Sunt Mala Quæ Libas Thou pourest out evil	I. V. B. Ipse Venena Bibas Drink thine own poison