so, it is but fitting and proper to feature him in here now...so, please take time to read and know more about him:
Quick Facts About St. Benedict
*Born c. 480, Nursia [Italy]
*He came from a noble family of Rome
*Twin brother of St. Scholastica
*Studied in Rome, but was dismayed by the lack of moral discipline and the lazy attitude of his fellow students
*Fled to the mountains and lived as a hermit in a cave in Subiaco for three years
*He was asked to head a group of monks in the nearby monastery
*His discipline was such that an attempt was made on his life; some monks tried to poison him, but he blessed the cup and rendered it harmless
*Blessed Benedict returned to his cave, but continued to attract followers and eventually established twelve monasteries
*Founded the monastery at Monte Cassino, where he wrote the Rule of his order
*Had the ability to read consciences, prophesy and forestall attacks of the devil
*Destroyed pagan statues and altars, drove demons from grave sacred to pagans
*At one point there were over 40,000 monasteries guided by the Benedictine Rule
*Benedict died in 547 [Monte Cassino] while standing in prayer before God
*When the man of God was keeping watch and praying, he saw the whole world gathered as though into one sunbeam. (Dialogues 2:35)
Saint Benedict has the reputation of being the messenger of peace, the maker of unity, the master of civilization, and especially the herald of Christianity and the author of monasticism in the West. When darkness seemed to be spreading over Europe after the fall of the Roman empire, he brought the light of dawn to shine upon this continent. For with the cross, the book and the plow, Christian civilization was carried, principally through him and his disciples, to the peoples who lived in those lands which stretch from the Mediterranean to Scandinavia, and from Ireland to Poland.
With the cross, that is, the Law of Christ, he strengthened and developed the institutions of private and social life. Through the “Work of God,” that is, through the careful and assiduous conduct of prayer, he taught that divine worship was of the greatest importance in the social order. And so he sealed that spiritual unity of Europe in which the various nations of different ethnic origins and languages felt themselves to be united into one people of God. And so this unity, learnt from so great a master, which the disciples of St. Benedict so faithfully strove to achieve, became the principle element in that period of history called the middle ages. All people of good will in our times must strive to recover that unity, which as Saint Augustine says, is “the form of all beauty,” and which alas has been lost in the vicissitudes of history.
With the book, that is, with the culture of the mind, this venerable patriarch from whom so many monasteries have drawn their name and their spirit, spread his doctrine through the old classics of literature and the liberal arts, preserved and passed on to posterity by them with so much care.
And lastly, with the plow, that is, through agriculture, he changed the waste and desert lands into orchards and delightful gardens; and joining work with prayer in the spirit of those words, ora et labora, he restored the dignity of human labor.
Not without reason, then, did Pope Pius XII call Saint Benedict the “Father of Europe,” for he inspired the peoples of this continent with the love of order upon which their social life depends.
The Saint Benedict Medal

St. Benedict was the father of Western Monasticism. He was born in Nursia, Italy, in 480. Beginning in 520, he founded twelve monasteries in the region of Subiaco. The foundation at Monte Cassino (529) became the cradle of his Order. His twin sister was St. Scholastica. Benedict died march 21, 542.
St. Benedict had a profound veneration for the Holy Cross and for our Saviour Crucified. In virtue of the Sign of the Cross he wrought many miracles and exercised great power over the spirits of darkness.
In consequence of the great veneration in which St. Benedict was held from the early middle ages, it followed that a medal was struck.
His medal has exceptional powers against the demons of Hell.
The Medal of Saint Benedict is one of the Sacramentals of the Church. The value and power of the Medal must be ascribed to the merits of Christ Crucified, to the efficacious prayers of St. Benedict, to the blessing of the Church, and specially to the faith and holy disposition of the person using the Medal.
Description

The front of the medal shows St. Benedict holding a cross in one hand and the book of his Rule in the other. Flanking him on each side are the words: Crux S. Patris Benedicti (The Cross of the Holy Father Benedict).
Below his feet are these words: Ex S M Casino MDCCCLXXX (From the Holy Mount of Cassino, 1880). On that date , Monte Cassino was given the exclusive right to produce this medal.
Inscribed in the circle surrounding Benedict are the words: Ejus in obitu nostro presentia muniamur (May his presence protect us in the hour of death).
The other side of the medal is where the real exorcistic force reveals itself. In the center is the Cross. Benedict loved the Cross and used it to drive away demons.
The vertical beam of the Cross has five letters: C.S.S.M.L., meaning Crux Sacra Sit Mihi Lux (May the holy Cross be for me a light).
The horizontal beam of the Cross also has five letters: N.D.S.M.D., meaning Non Draco Sit Mihi Dux (Let not the dragon be my guide).
The four large letters at the angles of the Cross: C S P B stand for Crux Sancti Patris Benedicti (The Cross of the Holy Father Benedict).
Encircling the Cross in a circle around the right margin are these letters: V.R.S.N.S.M.V., meaning Vade retro Satana; nunquam suade mihi vana (Begone Satan! Suggest not to me thy vain things).
Around the left margin of the circle are these letters: S.M.Q.L.I.V.B., meaning Sunt mala quae libas; ipse venena bibas (The drink you offer is evil; drink that poison yourself).
At the top of the circle is the word PAX (Peace).
Use
No special way of carrying or applying the Medal is prescribed. It may be worn around the neck, attached to the scapular or the Rosary or simply carried in one's pocket.
Often it is placed in the fields, the foundations of buildings or attached to automobiles to call down God's blessing and the protection of St. Benedict. No particular prayer is prescribed, as the devout wearing itself is a continual silent prayer.
4 comments:
Hapy Feast Day Kapatid... Siguradong kainan na naman yan bukas... hahaha pictures ha..ng pagkain... (wink)
@ bluepanjeet
korak ka diyana---alam mo bang ngayun pa lang na gabi ng bisperas ay nagluluto na sa kusina ang mga cooks na mehikanong si paticio at benedicto? ang leche flan nila ay ready na---mamaya ay puntahan ko sila after i finish visiting to some of our friends sites--sayang kasi ang internet eh--bibihirang magkarun ng linya sa gabi ehhh
wow fiesta na naman ito! happy happy na naman sa monasteryo!
nakita ko na yang medal na yan. jeprocks has one hanging sa car nya. para daw di sya makakita ng mumu sa rear view mirror. hahaha!
@ironnie
i guess, familiar nga si jeff sa medal na ito-
ay sinabi mo pa , labu labo na naman ang lapangan mamayang banquet ahhaahah-- kaya kung meron mang worst na member sectors ng society na nag ko commit ng kahit isa man lang sa 7 deadly sins ay walang iba kundi ang mga contemplatives--- sobrang pagkainnnnn.....buti na lang disiplinado ko ang appetite ko hahahahaha.
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