For you Oblates and Lovers of St Benedict!

I'm trying to get back into the habit of keeping a St Benedict Rosary in my shop, HeartFelt Rosaries, for those of you with a devotion to St Benedict, and here is my latest:

The Aves are a wonderful, patterned but satin smooth Weathered Onyx--aren't they lovely?

St Benedict is a Powerful Protector from evil and a great Exorcist. If you have never looked closely at the medal, which dates from the mid 1600s, here is an explanation, courtesy of Wikipedia:

On the front of the medal is St. Benedict holding 2 things. He holds, in his right, hand a cross, to which he was incredibly devoted and, in the left, his rule for monasteries. In the back there is a poisoned cup, that when the saint made the sign of the cross over it, shattered. A jealous enemy had given him this cup and a loaf of bread (also poisoned) that a raven carried away. Above the cup are the words "Crux sancti patris Benedicti" (The Cross of our holy father Benedict). Surrounding the figure of St. Benedict are the words "Eius in obitu nostro praesentia muniamur!" (May we be strengthened by his presence in the hour of our death) as he was always regarded to the Benedictines as the patron of a happy death.

On the back there resides a cross. On the cross are 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!). At the top of the medal is the word Pax (peace.) Surrounding the back of the medal are the letters V R S N S M V - S M Q L I V B, refer to Vade retro satana meaning "Vade retro Satana! Nunquam 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!)

There is more on the Bead Board, and new stuff in the shop, so stop by Etsy and visit me at: http://heartfeltrosariesonline.com/