My Grey World

So, my friend gave me a medal as my birthday present. (well actually i didn’t know that it is a medal) It looks like this :

Please forgive the darkness. VGA camera dude.. How can you complain?
I hang it at my cellphone.
I thought it was just a simple cross-shaped thing. With random letters printed on that. I really didn’t know.

But then.. It turns out that it’s a medal of Saint Benedict.
To give you clearer view of what’s printed on the medal, here I got you a picture from Sancta.org

See the letters on the “back” side? I really thought that they were random letters.
You wanna know the fact? The fact is, this medal actually has exceptional powers against the demons of Hell. (taken from the page)
And I thought it was just a cross with random letters. Yew.
Okay, now I’m gonna tell you the meaning of those “random letters”. (taken from the page)

The front of the medal shows St. Benedict holding a cross in one hand and the book of his Rule in the other. Flanking him on each side are the words: Crux S. Patris Benedicti (The Cross of the Holy Father Benedict).
Below his feet are these words: Ex S M Casino MDCCCLXXX (From the Holy Mount of Cassino, 1880). On that date , Monte Cassino was given the exclusive right to produce this medal.Inscribed in the circle surrounding Benedict are the words: Ejus in obitu nostro presentia muniamur (May his presence protect us in the hour of death).
The other side of the medal is where the real exorcistic force reveals itself. In the center is the Cross. Benedict loved the Cross and used it to drive away demons.
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).
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).
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).
Now I really know what a fabulous gift this is. Thank’s! You know who you are, don’t you? =)