| St.
Benedict was the father of Western Monasticism. He was born in Nursia,
Italy, in 480. Beginning in 520, he founded twelve monasteries in the
region of Subiaco. The foundation at Monte Cassino (529) became the
cradle of his Order. His twin sister was St. Scholastica. Benedict died
march 21, 542.
St.
Benedict had a profound veneration for the Holy Cross and for our
Saviour Crucified. In virtue of the Sign of the Cross he wrought many
miracles and Christ exercised great power over the spirits of darkness
through St. Benedict's faith.
In
consequence of the great veneration in which St. Benedict was held from
the early middle ages, it followed that a medal was struck.
Believers have worn the medal as a reminder that the Christian
has exceptional powers against the demons of Hell in the Name of Jesus.
The
Medal of Saint Benedict is one of the Sacramentals of the Church. A
Sacramental is a symbol that is used to remind the Christian of a
doctrine of faith. In this case the doctrine is "Greater is He who is
in you than he who is in the world." (1 John 4:4). The medal of
Saint Benedict also reminds the person wearing it that many thousands
of women and men have lived their Christian lives following the example
of St. Benedict since the 5th Century. The Church has been deeply
enriched by Benedictines in all cultures and times, and even in many
denominations of the Church of Jesus Christ.
Description
 
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).
Saint
Francis Of Assisi
St. Francis
lived from 1182 A.D. until 1226 A.D. St. Francis is considered to be a
real friend of the GLBTQS Community. He was a radical reformer who
listened and followed the Holy Spirit. Francis knew and believed that
everyone was called to the free gift of Salvation in Christ. Francis
was totally convinced that God shows no partiality. "But in every
nation whoever fears God and works righteousness is accepted by God."
(Acts 10:34-35)
Francis was a perfect example of what Jesus meant when He said: "The
one who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of their heart
will flow rivers of living water." (John7:38) Francis was a flowing
fountain of God's Love. What was his secret? Simply put, Francis loved
Jesus so much that Christ was able to live through Francis. We look to
St. Francis as our role model on how to accept and welcome all people
in the Name of Jesus. It is true that many so-called "Christians" will
not welcome us these days becuase of their pre-conceived ideas about
our sexual orientations. Simply put, if the sexual orientation is
different than their own, (very narrow-minded and poor presentations of
heterosexuality - very unlike true and healthy Heterosexuality) it is
forbidden, and the person is cast out.
In Christ, our response to this is: Though we may not be welcome in
many communities today, everyone, absolutely everyone is welcome in our
community. Francis showed the Church that by the power of Christ all
things are possible. Francis showed the world that in God everyone is
loved and equal. We thank God Almighty for St. Francis, and we ask the
Holy Spirit to inspire us to follow his example of radical love for
Jesus and radical yes to everyone who comes to us seeking Christ Jesus.
It is our hope that Ray Of Hope Church will be gifted with Franciscan
Sisters and Brothers someday in the future when the Lord Jesus calls
women and men to this charismatic vocation.
St.
Clare of Assisi
Saint Clare of Assisi
(1194-11 Aug 1253) is considered co-founder of the Franciscan Family.
In 1211, after hearing Francis
preach the Lenten Sermon in San Rufino, Clare began to meet with
Francis to discuss her vocation. On March 28, 1211
she left her father's house to receive her habit from
Francis in the Porziuncola.
Clare
went to live a cloistered life in San Dominano. After
Francis's death, his body was brought to San Dominano so Clare
could say goodbye to him.
Clare
died
on August 11, 1253, shortly after receiving a Bull from Pope
Innocent IV granting her and her sisters the Privilege of Poverty. She
was cononized in 1255, and her feast
day is August 11. In 1958 Pope Pius XII proclaimed St. Clare
the patron saint of television.
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