cool find --wife had no ideal of what it was --photo * 1880 medal st benedict

ivan salis · Jul 25, 2011

my wife was going thru her jewelry box --looking for items to donate to help the catholic church we belong to raise funds to assist in paying off the churches "new " organ (my wife is the church organist)

thankfully she asked me to look at the stuff before donating it . (there was one very differant item in the mix of jewelry tidbits-- was a religious medal * and not just any religious medal-- but a "special one" )

my wifes dad was american born in NYC in 1916 his parents met in the USA -- his parents (my wifes grandparents -fathers side )-- both came from Italy in in the late 1890 to 1900 era * ) --due to the time frame era and area from where they came fromin Italy --I think that the medal is a 1880 era "original" St Benedict Jubilee / Centenary medal that marked the 1400 year of St Benedict's birth --the church at Monte Casino was the only place "allowed" to make them and first made them in 1880 --as you can see the medal is quite large and well made , it seems to be made of bronze and has a odd side to side running loop hole in its top --not the normal type front to rear hole that most medals most do. --it has some serious weight to it --the medals of st benedict are thought to have great power over demons and help to heal the ill in the hands of a true beleiver they are thought of as "quite strong" against the forces of evil

after his parents died my wifes dad got the medal , upon his death , her mom got it --a year or so ago my wifes mom died and then she got it --my wife had no clue as to what it was --as no one had ever told her what it was.

this is not going into the church sale and no its not for sale. --this is a "keeper item"

once the wife found out about it via my research she said -- we are keeping this in the house.

Bavaria Mike · Jul 25, 2011

Nice pendant! HH, Mike

steelheadwill · Jul 25, 2011

glad you saved that one!
Nicely detailed in great condition.
I see 'ND' in part of the inscription, any connection to Notre Dame ?
I have Items left to me from an Aunt who was an 'SND'
those letters always catch my eye..
Best to you :thumbsup:

gold nuggets · Jul 25, 2011

Glad your wife had you look things over before the donation was made.
That would have been quite a loss for your family. Nice medallion and
some good information. Thanks for sharing.........Gold Nuggets :hello:

Chug And Red · Jul 25, 2011

WOW!!!

That is an amazing medal, it is gorgeous, I too would keep it, and display it in a case or something for the wall!!!!Thank goodness you went through things and found it!!! :wink:

Thanks for sharing Ivan, I enjoyed reading about it as did Chug!!! :hello2:

Have a great day and HH!!!!! Red :hello:

ivan salis · Jul 25, 2011

ON THE REAR

--the N D S M D on the cross bar stands for --IN LATIN FIRST LETTERS OF THESE WORDS * ( Non Draco Sit Mihi Dux) -- its meaning is --- no dragon (satan) my guide ever .

THE UP AND DOWN LETTERS -- C S S M L --- (Crux Sacra Sit Mihi Lux) - which means -- cross sacred my guide always .

the medal is said in the hands of a devout person to be a powerful ward to fight demons and evil --to strenghten those who are "tempted" by evil to resist such temptations -- to help get rid of evil spirits , spells and evil magic , to stop poisionings and help with health issues.

the letters along the rear rim --stand for in latin -- BEGONE SATAN , NEVER TEMPT ME WITH THY VANITYS --WHAT YOU OFFER ME IS EVIL , DRINK THE POISON YOURSELF.

PAX at the rear top is latin for "PEACE" -- MADE IN ITALY

ON THE FRONT

st benedict is thought of a "a happy / peaceful death" type of saint --the wording on the front along the rim in latin means -- may we be strengthened by his presence in the hour of our death *

crux patris benedict I --cross (of) father benedict l --

note * the abbot of a monestary had died and people went to st benedict to ask him to be the "new" abbot --some folks were against this and tried to poison st benedict --by bringing poisoned food and drink ---the cup on the medal is a cup of drink that had been poisoned that broke to bits as st benedict blessed his food before eating it by making the sign of a cross --the raven is also related to the attempted poisoning --a loaf of bread was ALSO poisoned --SINCE ST BENEDICT KNEW THE CUP TO BE POISONED HE ORDERED A RAVEN TO CARRY OFF THE POISONED BREAD WHICH IT DID --bread and wine are used for communion in the catholic church.

at the saints foot is EX S M CASINO - MDCCCLXXX -- FROM THE HOLY MOUNT OF CASINO- 1880 ( IN ROMAN NUMBERS)

allen · Jul 25, 2011

that is an awesome save !!

painless · Jul 25, 2011

ivan salis said:
my wife was going thru her jewelry box --looking for items to donate to help the catholic church we belong to raise funds to assist in paying off the churches "new " organ (my wife is the church organist)

thankfully she asked me to look at the stuff before donating it . (there was one very differant item in the mix of jewelry tidbits-- was a religious medal * and not just any religious medal-- but a "special one" )

my wifes dad was american born in NYC in 1916 his parents met in the USA -- his parents (my wifes grandparents -fathers side )-- both came from Italy in in the late 1890 to 1900 era * ) --due to the era and area from where they came from --I think that the medal is a 1880 era "original" St Benedict Jubilee / Centenary medal that marked the 1400 year of St Benedict's birth --the church at Monte Casino was the only place "allowed" to make them --as you can see the medal is quite large and well made seems to be made of bronze --it has some serious weight to it --the medals of st benedict are thought to have great power over demons and help to heal the ill in the hands of a true beleiver they are thought of as "quite strong" against the forces of evil

after his parents died my wifes dad got the medal , upon his death , her mom got it --a year or so ago my wifes mom died and then she got it --my wife had no clue as to what it was --as no one had ever told her what it was.

this is not going into the church sale and no its not for sale. --this is a "keeper item"

once the wife found out about it via my research she said -- we are keeping this in the house.

I had one of those, many years ago. I didn't know what it was, and probably gave it to one of my Catholic friends, or lost it.

ivan salis · Jul 25, 2011

there are modern copies out there but I think this one is a "original" made in 1880 at monte casino , italy --due to my wifes family history -- her fathers family ( her grandmother and grandfather--dads side ) came over from Italy in the late 1890 to 1900 era time frame-- they met here in the usa and married and had my wifes dad in 1916 in NYC -- with the first benedict jubillee medals being made in 1880 in monte casino , italy theres a good chance that this is a "original" medal struck in 1880 and brought over with one of the family members (mother or father) of my wifes dad.

littlebill31 · Jul 25, 2011

That's a nice find. It looks really good too. Glad you were able to post the interpretation for us as well.

hombre_de_plata_flaco · Jul 25, 2011

WOW! That's awesome! I love religious relics and amulets. I have bought and sold many, including an ebony "Death's Head" crucifix from Germany, an antique rosary from Lourdes, France, and a couple of Creed Sterling pendants and chains, but I have never run across anything as special and neat as that piece. Makes an Episcopalian such as myself extremely jealous.

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