THE SAN DAMIANO CROSS
Most High glorious
God enlighten the darkness
of my heart.
Give me Lord,
a correct faith,
a certain hope,
a perfect charity,
sense and knowledge,
so that I may carry out
your holy and true
command.
St Francis of Assisi Prayer Before the Crucifix
THE HISTORY OF THE SAN DAMIANO CROSS
An unknown Umbrian artist painted the Crucifix Icon in the 12th Century. There is strong Syrian influence, and history tells us that there had been some Syrian monks in the area.
It is painted on wood (walnut) to which cloth had been glued. It is about 190 cm high, 120 cms wide and 12 cms thick. It is more than likely it was painted for San Damiano to hang over the Altar as the Blessed Sacrament was not reserved in non Parish Churches of those times and especially those that had been abandoned and neglected as we know San Damiano had been.
In 1257 the Poor Clares left San Damiano for San Giorgio and took the Crucifix with them. They carefully kept the Cross for 700 years.
In Holy Week of 1957, it was placed on public view for the first time over the new Altar in San Giorgio's Chapel in the Basilica of St Clare of Assisi.