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The San Damiano Cross
and St. Francis
St.
Francis of Assisi was known as Francis Bernardone
before he became canonized a saint. He lived in Assisi,
Italy around 1200 A.D. He was known as a womanizer and
came from a wealthy family. St. Francis began to see
the error of his ways and began questioning the goodness
of his father and all his money. St. Francis needed
more than clothes, food, and money. He needed spiritual
wealth.
When St. Francis faced death from war, imprisonment,
and sickness, his mother stayed by his side. When he
recovered, he realized that he needed to change his
life. Francis began going to church, praying, meditating
during walks in the woods, waiting for an answer from
God.
Frances visited San Damiano very often. He prayed in
the old, crumbling chapel located there. In this chapel
was an enormous painting of the Cross of San Damiano.
As Francis was walking by the chapel, he got an urge
to go inside. Francis gazed up at the San Damiano crucifix
and prayed to God, "…enlighten the darkness
of my heart…" At that point, the eyes of Jesus
opened in the painting and Jesus' head nodded at Francis.
Francis was not frightened by this and then Jesus began
to speak, "Francis, don't you see that my house
is being destroyed? Go then, and rebuild it for me."
Francis had gotten an answer to his prayers and rebuilt
the San Damiano Chapel.
The San Damiano Cross
From that day forward, the San Damiano Cross has been
revered throughout the world. The message of Jesus is
contained in the intricate painting, calling all sinners
to follow Jesus and repent for an eternal life in Heaven.
Many people buy San Damiano jewelry to wear every day,
reminding them to repent for their sins, give up the
material ways of the world, and be willing to give all
they have for others.
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