Large sterling silver vintage St. Benedict necklace.

Solid sterling silver, vintage inspired St. Benedict medal. Made in the USA, this highly detailed medal has been recast from a vintage medal in California. The medal is 1" in diameter suspended from a 20" rhodium curb chain.

On the front St. Benedict is holding a crozier and a broken flagon with a vine. The verso features the traditional symbolism. On the arms of the cross are the initials 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!). The letters framing the cross, C S P B stand for Crux Sancti Patris Benedicti (The cross of our holy father Benedict). And around the outer edge of the of the medal are the letters V.R.S.N.S.M.V./S.M.Q.L.I.V.B, which stand for the Latin Vade Retro Satana (Begone Satan) Nunquam Suade Mihi Vana (Never Suggest Vain Things to Me), Sunt Mala Quae Libas (What You Offer Me is Evil) Ipse Venena Bibas (Drink your own Poison).

The St. Benedict medal has been used by Roman Catholics since Pope Benedict XIV (18th century) to ward off spiritual and physical dangers, especially those related to evil and temptation. (Ann Ball, 2003 Encyclopedia of Catholic Devotions and Practices)