While passing in front of the small San Damiano Church, Saint Francis of Assisi felt the need to go inside and pray. He knelt in front of the cross (now popularly known as the San Damiano Cross), and miraculously Jesus, on this cross, became animated and spoke the words “Francis, go rebuild My house; as you see, it is all being destroyed”.
Saint Francis answered the Lord’s call by rebuilding the old structure of the San Damiano Church but then later realized that Jesus was asking him to help rebuild the actual Church which is made up God’s people. He lived his life as an example to others of what the rebuilt Church should look like with great love and simplicity.
The San Damiano Cross was made around the year 1100 and the artist is unknown. It now hangs in the Basilica of Saint Clare in Assisi, Italy. There is a replica that hangs in it’s original position in the Church of San Damiano.
See the details and meaning of all the imagery shown around the Cross from this file from marian.edu:
Prayer of St.Francis before the Cross of San Damiano
(to discern God’s will)
Most High, glorious God,
enlighten the darkness of my heart.
Give me true faith, certain hope
and perfect charity, sense and
knowledge that I may carry out
Your Holy and true command.
Amen.
