Some of you may recall that 2 years ago, after years of using only a processional cross,  
we displayed the chapel crucifix in the worship space for Lent.  During and since that time, 
we’ve heard a growing desire for a permanent crucifix to enhance our worship space.  About a 
year ago, our Parish Council asked the Liturgy Committee to research and make 
recommendations for a crucifix. Following the guidance from the General Instruction of the 
Roman Missal on the presence of a crucifix in our Worship Space, the group began exploring 
options. 

After roughly a year-long discussion and wide search, we’ve selected the San Damiano 
Cross.  Some of you may know this as the “Franciscan cross,” which a young St. Francis 
prayed before in the abandoned chapel near Assisi when he heard the voice of God 
commanding him to “rebuild my church.”  This ties in with our Parish founding from the 
renewed vision of Vatican II which called for active participation of the laity in the Church's 
mission, and the renewal of the Church to better engage with the modern world. 
The design of the San Damiano cross brings focus first to Jesus, represented both as 
wounded and strong, standing upright, and then subtly draws you to the women and men who 
were witnesses to His crucifixion, and to His disciples. It is over 800 years old, yet it is a 
scripturally inclusive artistic interpretation of Our Lord’s Passion and Resurrection. As such it is both old and new, just like the Spirit that calls us to Resurrection Parish. 

If you want to learn more, this links to a beautiful description: San Damiano Cross: Telling the 
History of Christ’s Passion