Information on the chapter of the Oblates of Saint Benedict at St. Michael Whittier may be obtained by contacting
Father John Downing email JWDNLD@aol.com
or Subdeacon Michael Perkins email robroy3@earthlink.net
or writing or calling
The Oblates of Saint Benedictc/o St. Michael Orthodox Church
3333 Workman Mill Rd.
Whittier, CA 90601
Telephone : (562) 692-6121
About the medal
The front of the medal has inscribed in the circle surrounding St. Benedict the words: Ejus in obitu nostro presentia muniamur (May his presence protect us in the hour of death).
St. Benedict is flanked by the words Crux S. Patris Benedicti
(The Cross of Holy Father Benedict).
On the back, the four large letters at the angles of the Cross,
C S P B abbreviate Crux S. Patris Benedicti as above.
The letters from the vertical beam of the Cross: C S S M L, and the horizontal beam of the Cross: N D S M D, form an abbreviation of the rhyming Latin phrases: Crux Sacra Sit Mihi Lux (May the holy Cross be for me a light) and Non Draco Sit Mihi Dux (Let not the dragon be my guide).
The outer letters encircling the Cross, stand for the words of an ancient verse:
V.R.S. Vade retro Satana Be gone Satan!
N.S.M.V. nunquam suade mihi vana Suggest nothing vain to me
S.M.Q.L. Sunt mala quae libas; What you offer is evil;
I.V.B. ipse venenum bibas drink your own poison.
At the top of the circle is the word PAX (Peace).
