Benedictine Medal Shirt

Benedictines carry on a monastic tradition that stems from the origins of the Christian monastic movement in the late third century. Saint Benedict, known as the father of monasticism, is the founder and guide of Benedictines - even though he did not establish a Benedictine Order as such. He wrote a Rule for his monastery at Monte Cassino in Italy and he foresaw that it could be used elsewhere. The cross is clearly dominant on this image. 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!) In the angles of the cross, the letters C S P B stand for “Crux Sancti Patris Benedicti” (The cross of our holy father Benedict). Above the cross is the word pax (peace), that has been a 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, as mentioned above, 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!)