About Us
We are Franciscans
Since its founding in 1961, San Damiano Retreat has been a ministry of the Franciscan Friars of the Province of St. Barbara. The Franciscans are a Catholic religious order founded in 1281 by St. Francis of Assisi. We invite you to experience joy, hospitality, compassion, peace, and simplicity. Want to learn more about what it means to be a Franciscan ministry?
Our Mission Statement
The mission of San Damiano Retreat is to provide a hospitable place of spiritual renewal for people of all faiths in the tradition of St. Francis and St. Clare of Assisi.
If the walls of San Damiano could speak, they would tell stories of love and sacred experiences. Here are a few such stories.
Origins of Our Name
The original San Damiano, a little church located outside the town of Assisi, Italy, has great significance in the life and vocation of St. Francis of Assisi. It was while in prayer before a 12th Century crucifix in the dilapidated church named San Damiano that Francis heard a voice. The Christ of the crucifix spoke to Francis, “Francis, go repair my church which is falling into ruins.” Literally, Francis began to gather stones and started building up the edifice only to realize that the larger community of the whole church was meant, not merely a material building. St. Clare of Assisi, the first female follower of St. Francis, was given San Damiano as the first convent for her community, the Poor Ladies. The Poor Clares took the original San Damiano cross with them to the Santa Chiara Basilica where it hangs in a chapel.
