San Damiano, a short distance outside Assisi, is very sacred
place, built over a Mithraic temple in the eleventh century as an
oratory. By 1205 it was in ruins, and as such is the site of one of the
most significant Franciscan legends.
Here is how St Bonaventure tells the story.
On a certain day, when he had gone forth to
meditate in the fields, he was walking nigh the church of Saint Damian,
which from its exceeding great age was threatening to fall, and, at the
prompting of the spirit, went within to pray. Prostrating himself before
an Image of the Crucified, he was filled with no small consolation of
spirit as he prayed. And as with eyes full of tears he gazed upon the
Lord’s Cross, he heard with his bodily ears a Voice proceeding from that
Cross, saying thrice: “Francis, go and repair My House, which, as thou
seest, is falling utterly into ruin.”
The crucifix which spoke to Francis is still in existence: it is now in the church of Santa Chiara.
After the repairs were completed, the female Franciscan Order, the poor Clares, was set up here, though being outside the walls and therefore vulnerable it moved to San Giorgio, now Santa Chiara.
San Damiano is a magical place, not to be missed when visiting Assisi. Close to it is this powerful image of the meditating St Francis.
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