The San Damiano Rosary Cross

The San Damiano Crucifix

This is a recreation of the Cross that Saint Francis prayed before in the broken down Church of San Damiano in Assisi, Italy. It was through that Cross that Jesus spoke to Saint Francis, charging  him to "Rebuild My Church". Since then, the San Damiano Cross has become an icon of the Franciscan order and a symbol of their mission from God.

On this Cross, the eyes of Jesus are open. He is surrounded by images of saints and Holy Figures in a rich display of symbolism depicting devotion to Him. On the original tapestry attached to a wooden cross, some of the figures were indistinguishable due to deterioration and damage.

The reverse of this Cross contains a benediction. It is the the final part of the famous prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi: "O Master, grant that I may not seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love; for it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life."