Benedict of Nursia
(Ortodox icon) (link)
Saint Benedict of Nursia is the father of Western monasticism. Born around 480 in central Italy, he founded the famous monastery of Monte Cassino and wrote the Rule of Saint Benedict, which became the foundation for monastic life in the West. His motto “Ora et Labora” (Pray and Work) has guided religious communities for fifteen centuries.
Prayer of Saint Benedict (Medal Prayer) (Oratio Sancti Benedicti)
Crux sacra sit mihi lux,
May the holy Cross be my light,
Das heilige Kreuz sei mein Licht,
La santa Cruz sea mi luz,
Que la sainte Croix soit ma lumière,
non draco sit mihi dux.
may the dragon never be my guide.
der Drache sei nicht mein Führer.
no sea el dragón mi guía.
que le dragon ne soit pas mon guide.
Vade retro, Satana!
Get behind me, Satan!
Weiche zurück, Satan!
Retrocede, Satanás.
Arrière, Satan !
Nunquam suade mihi vana.
Never tempt me with your vanities.
Versuche mich nicht mit deinen Nichtigkeiten.
No me tientes con vanidades.
Ne me tente pas de tes vanités.
Sunt mala quae libas;
What you offer me is evil;
Böse ist, was du anbietest;
Es malo lo que ofreces;
Ce que tu offres est mal ;
ipse venena bibas.
drink the poison yourself.
trink selbst dein Gift.
bebe tú mismo el veneno.
bois toi-même ton poison.
— Saint Benedict Medal inscription, traditional
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