This fabulous Benedictine Medal necklace is composed of a light, delicate cable chain of interconnected flattened oval links perfectly paired with a large oval pendant featuring a St. Benedict Medal. The Medal is embellished at the crest with two teardrops of handmade green glass that surround a faceted sapphire blue Swarovski crystal. At the bottom of the Medal, five green glass teardrops surround a faceted ruby red Swarovski crystal. The relief of the Benedictine Medal is cast in white bronze, trimmed in a brass rope and backed with German Silver.
The St. Benedict medal represents a prayer to invoke God's blessing and protection through the intercession of St. Benedict.
The front of the St. Benedict Medal is stamped with a cross on which is superimposed the letters CSSML on the upright beam and NDSMD on the cross beam.The letters stand for the Latin words Crux Sacra Sit Mihi Lux: Non Draco Sit Mihi Dux which means "May the Holy Cross be My Light: Let Not the Devil Be My Guide."
The letters CSPB in the four ovals around the cross stand for Crux Sancti Patris Benedicti, the Latin for "Cross of the Holy Father Benedict."
Around the outer edge of the medal are the letters VRSNSMV--SMQLIVB which stand for the Latin Vade Retro Satane (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).
At the top of the medal is stamped the Benedictine motto, "PAX" meaning "PEACE."
The rule of St. Benedict is "By God's grace, I am what I am."
The chain is 36 1/2" long. The pendant is 3" long and 1 1/2" wide.
This wonderful Benedictine Medal necklace is designed and hand crafted by the Barbosa Family. The Barbosa Family artisans have been creating inspired sacred jewelry for generations in San Miguel Allende, Mexico. Genuine Barbosa jewelry is hand stamped by the artisan.