Saint Benedict Medal Stainless Steel Cross Ring

• Size: about 20 mm high
•  Weight: about 12g
•  Material: Stainless steel, copper

Saint Benedict Medallion
The medal is one of the oldest and most honored medals used by Christians and due to the belief in its power against evil is also known as the "devil-chasing medal".

As early as the 11th century, it may have initially had the form of Saint Benedict's cross, and was used by pope Leo IX. The reverse side of the medal carries the Vade retro satana ("Begone, Satan!") formula which has been used by Christians to ward off evil since the 15th century. Sometimes carried as part of the rosary, it is also found individually.

This religious object is also a Christian symbol of opening doors and opening difficult paths. Tradition holds that it protects from curses, evil and vice, protects against diseases and protects good health.

The medal’s symbolism

On the front of the medal is Saint Benedict holding a cross in his right hand, the Christian symbol of salvation, and in the left his rule for monasteries. To Benedict's right, below the cross, is a poisoned cup, a reference to the legend that hostile monks attempted to poison him, and the cup containing poisoned wine shattered when the saint made the sign of the cross over it. To his left, below the rule, the raven that carried off a loaf of poisoned bread. From this is derived the tradition that the medal protects against poisoning.Above the cup and raven are the words Crux sancti patris Benedicti ('The Cross of [our] Holy Father Benedict'). Surrounding the figure of Saint Benedict are the words Eius in obitu nostro praesentia muniamur! ('May we be strengthened by his presence in the hour of our death'), since Benedictines regarded him as a particular patron of a happy death. Below the icon of St. Benedict, it is written 'EX SM Casino, MDCCCLXXX' and it means 'Found out from the Casino mountain in 1880.'

On the back is a cross, containing the letters C S S M L - N D S M D, initials of the words Crux sacra sit mihi lux! Nunquam draco sit mihi dux! ('May the holy cross be my light! May the dragon never be my overlord!').The large C S P B stand for Crux Sancti Patris Benedicti ('The Cross of [our] Holy Father Benedict'). Surrounding the back of the medal are the letters V R S N S M V - S M Q L I V B, in reference to Vade retro satana: Vade retro Satana! Numquam 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!') and finally, located at the top is the word PAX which means 'peace'

MEASURING YOUR FINGER WITH STRING OR PIECE OF PAPER:

WHAT TO DO:
1. Cut a thin strip of paper at least 3 inches long and less than 5 mm wide
2. Wrap it snugly around your ring finger at the base of the knuckle
3. Using a pen or pencil, mark where the ends overlap
4. Lay it flat and use a ruler to measure the length in millimeters
5. Use the chart below to find the corresponding ring size in the top row