5-1/2 inch pierced pewter st. Benedict wall cross. Wall cross can be hanged with loop on top. Includes an elegant wall cross gift box. Center of wall cross has the stamped symbol of St. Benedict (see below for meaning). Bottom of the wall cross has the stamped St. Benedict cross (see below for meaning).
St. Benedict Symbol: The center of symbol is an image of St. Benedict. In his right hand he holds the cross, the Christian symbol of salvation. In St. Benedict's left hand is his rule for monasteries that could well be summed up in the words of the prologue exhorting us to "set out on this [Go's] way, with the Gospel for our guide." On a pedestal to the right of St. Benedict is the poisoned cup, shattered when he made the sign of the cross over it. On a pedestal to the left is a raven about to carry away the loaf of poisoned bread that a jealous enemy sent to St. Benedict.
St. Benedict Cross Symbol:
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)
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)
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)
