San Damiano cross featured in FranU center

Featuring prominently in the chapel of the new hall at Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady in Baton Rouge, is a giant, two-story high San Damiano cross. The history of the cross dates back to the 12th century, when a young St. Francis, who knelt before the cross in a dilapidated church on the outskirts of Assisi, Italy. While he was praying  he received his commission from God to rebuild the Church.

St. Francis first began rebuilding the little chapel. However, that rebuilding would later prefigure a more profound spiritual renewal of the Church throughout Europe, thanks to the work of St. Francis. All Franciscans cherish this cross as the symbol of their mission from God.

The cross was painted by an unknown artist from the Umbria region, which includes Assisi. There is a strong Syrian influence in the depiction and, according to history, there were Syrian monks in the area.

The original cross was painted on wood to which cloth had been glued. It is more than six feet high and nearly four feet wide. It was believed to have been painted for San Damiano church in order to hang over the altar as the Blessed Sacrament was not preserved in non-parishes churches of those times, many of which had been abandoned or neglected as San Damiano had been.

In 1257, the Poor Clares left San Damiano for San Giorgio and took the crucifix with them. They have preserved the cross carefully for 700 years.

In the Holy Week of 1957, the San Damiano cross was placed on public view for the first time in the Basilica of St. Clare of Assisi. The cross depicts the Paschal Mystery in one icon: the story of the death, resurrection and ascension of Christ.