The Crucifix in San Damian's Church

In the beginning of his conversion, when Francis was walking by the church of San Damian, it was said to him in the spirit that he should go into it to pray. He went in, and began to pray fervently in front of an image of the Crucified, which addressed him thus with benign pity: 'Francis, see you not that My house is being destroyed? Go, therefore, and repair it for Me.' Trembling and astonished, Francis said, 'Gladly will I do it. Lord,' for he took it that that particular church was meant, since it was threatening to fall very soon from excessive age. And he was so filled with joy and illumined with light by reason of that address that he truly felt in his soul that it had been Christ crucified who had spoken to him. He went out of the church and found the priest sitting by it; and, putting his hand to his purse, he offered the priest some money, saying: 'I pray you, sir, to buy oil, and cause a lamp to be kept constantly burning before the crucifix; and when this money has been spent on this work, I will give you again so much as shall be needed.'

- text taken from Franciscan Days: being selections for every day in the year from ancient Franciscan writings, translated and arranged by Alan George Ferrers Howell