Saint Benedict

The inscription running along the top of the impost block reads: VIR DEI BENEDICTVS VIRGA/ P[ER]CVSSIT MONACHV[M]/ ET SANAVIT EV[M]/ DOMINVS P[ER] ILLV[M]. Below the impost, on the west side of the capital, a winged devil with long pointed claws grips the arm of a monk, whose spirit has been possessed by him. To the left Saint Benedict blesses the dead man who is shown on the north side. On the opposite side Saint Benedict with a raised staff threatens the possessed monk and the devil.
A large building fills the whole of the east side. It is presumably the abbey of Montecassino, which Benedict founded in Italy in the 6th century, and in which the second miracle represented on this capital took place.
On the north side of the capital the young monk, on whom a wall had collapsed during the construction of Montecassino, is shown lying on his bier. Two figures are standing beside him: one is pointing to heaven with his finger – a sign that God has brought the monk back to life thanks to Benedict’s intercession; the other holds an object that is difficult to identify. The Saint, who had re-awoken the young monk from the sleep of death, is shown on the west side.
These two miracles unite the physical and spiritual life. Benedict, the founder of the Benedictine Order, following in the footsteps of Christ, restores life and rescues from the devil.

ILLU(M)Montecassino VIR DEI BENEDICTUS VIRGA / P(ER)CUSSIT MONACHU(M) / P(ER) ET SANAVIT EU(M) DOMINUS Saint Benedict inscription