The Medal of St. Benedict

The front of the medal bears the image of St. Benedict holding a broken cup.  The legend says that when the saint blessed a cup of poisoned wine, it shattered miraculously.

On the reverse of the medal is a cross and a series of letters which stand for certain Latin words.  On the cross written downward on the perpendicular bar, the letters stand for "Crux Sacra Sit Mihi Lux" (The Holy Cross be my light). On the horizontal bar the letters stand for "Non Draco Sit Mihi Dux" (Let not the dragon be my guide).

The letters CSPB in the corners of the cross stand for "Crux Sancti Patris Benedicti" which translates to "The cross of holy father Benedict".

Around the edge of the medal the letters stand for 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!)

At the base of the cross is the Latin word "Pax" which means peace.