San Damiano Cross

The San Damiano Cross has been part of the St. Angela Merici Parish Community's spirituality since moving to the Parish Life Center in September 2010.  Our attraction to it derived from St. Angela's own spirituality as a Third Order Franciscan. 

The original cross, which hung in the Church of San Damiano near Assisi, served as an instrument of St. Francis' conversion in the early 13th century.  While praying in the dilapidated church, Francis, heard the Lord speaking to him from the cross: "Rebuild my Church."  Slowly, Francis came to realize that rather rebuilding the crumbling chapels of Assisi, God was calling him, through radical witness to Christ in poverty, simplicity, and humility, to rebuild the Holy Catholic Church itself. 

Rich in symbol, this crucifix also hangs in our new church building.  Designed by the Demetz Studio in Italy to be suspended from the ceiling, the overall height of the cross is 12 feet, with the Corpus measuring 7 feet 5 inches.  The back is finished with the same carved border as the front and displays a Christogram for Jesus - IHS. 

As we, the community of faith that forms itself under the patronage of St. Angela Merici, pray and worship before this Cross, may Francis' prayer be ours:

Most high and glorious God, bring light to the darkness of my heart.  Give me right faith, certain hope, and perfect charity, insight and wisdom, so I can always observe Thy holy and true command.  Amen.