Mission Integration

San Damiano Crucifix

Ever since St. Francis meditated before the San Damiano Crucifix in discerning God's will for him, this crucifix has become one of our most important Franciscan symbols. To gaze upon this crucifix is to hear the message Christ spoke to Francis: "Rebuild my Church; rebuild my people!"

The icon is called 'The Christ of San Damiano' because for ages it was hung in the little church of Assisi named San Damiano.

An icon is created to reveal the essence of profound mystery. 'The Cross of San Damiano' is based on the Gospel of St. John. 'The Christ of San Damiano' is a Byzantine twelfth century icon painted by a Syrian monk. In creating this icon, the painter was filled with the Sacred Scriptures.

St. John describes the struggle between light and darkness. The final outcome of the battle shines out in this icon; the color red, found all about the icon, dramatizes the victory of light and love over darkness. The border of the icon sets the tone. It is formed of a great number of shells. Among the ancients, the seashell had become a symbol of the beauty and eternity of heaven because of its beauty and endurance. So the border of seashells shows one that the icon is destined by its very nature to reveal heavenly mystery.

Together with the border, the crown of glory around the head of Jesus makes us understand the whole icon. The sorrowful mystery of Christ is neither forgotten nor hidden. Instead it discovers its meaning and fulfillment in glory. One needs to remember this when one attempts to identify the feelings of the other characters on the painting.

The painter of the icon includes a number of major characters under the arms of Jesus. Their names are written at their feet. From left to right one sees: Mary, the mother of Jesus; John a disciple of Jesus; Mary Magdalene, a New Testament figure; Mary the mother of James and the centurion whose son Jesus cured. There are other minor characters and objects painted on the icon ?? all from the Gospel of John's testament to the story of Jesus. In creating this icon, the painter was filled with the Sacred Scriptures.

'The crucifix that spoke to St Francis' in 1205 C.E. was removed from the convent of San Damiano in 1257 C.E. It was preserved for 700 years in the Church of San Giorgio in Assisi, Italy. The icon of San Damiano was placed in public view for the first time during Holy Week of 1957.

At the University of St. Francis, Joliet, Illinois, a likeness of the San Damiano Cross has been placed in Tower Hall, the first of the University's buildings. In addition, it is now displayed at the Albuquerque, New Mexico extension of the university. It is a cross prominently placed here for all who come to this place of higher education so that all can see and 'listen' to the message of Christ.

Major Source: THE ICON OF THE CHRIST OF SAN DAMIANO; Marc Picard, OFM, Cap.; 1989.