Saint Benedict's Symbols

The Saint Benedict Medal and Crucifix

"Listen carefully, my son, to the Master's instructions, and attend to them with the ear of your heart. This is advice from a father who loves you; welcome it, and faithfully put it into practice. The labor of obedience will bring you back to him from whom you had drifted through the sloth of disobedience. This message of mine is for all, and armed with the strong and noble weapons of obedience to do battle for the true king, Christ the Lord."
(the Rule of St. Benedict, Prologue, verses 1-3)

"St. Benedict is the Patron against poisoning. He is the founder of western monasticism and is better known as Benedict of Nursia. His feastday is July 11. He is the twin brother of Saint Scholastica. He studied in Rome and dismayed at the lack of discipline with fellow students went to live in a cave at Subiaco. He founded a monastery at Monte Cassino where he wrote the rule for his order. Unhappy with his efforts, some monks tried to poison him. They were not successful because the Saint blessed the cup of wine before drinking it and the cup shattered. Eventually he established twelve monasteries. He was born in Nursia circa 480 and died March 21, 547.v"*

*Taken from the Patron Saints Quiz (in the answer section) by Fred Schaeffer, sfo, which is published at the Five Franciscan Martyrs Region website. The Quiz is a good way to test your Patron Saint Knowledge, I encourage you to visit the link and try your hand at it.