Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris held its first public mass in five years on Sunday, marking a significant moment for the beloved landmark and the city’s faithful. The service was attended by 2,500 people, including members of the parish, Catholics from across the city, and tourists eager to witness the cathedral’s renovation.
Rector Monsignor Olivier Ribadeau Dumas described the cathedral as “the mother church of Paris” and a place “of peace, joy, and life.” The service featured traditional rituals, including the recitation of the “Our Father,” Communion from a new altar designed by French artist Guillaume Bardet, and the consecration of the altar by Archbishop Laurent Ulrich.
President Emmanuel Macron attended the service with his wife, Brigitte. Many in attendance were emotional, thanking firefighters who saved the cathedral and workers who restored it to its original form. Some visitors simply came to see the renovated cathedral, with many describing it as shining and beautiful.
The cathedral’s reopening comes after a five-year renovation process that cost over $700 million. The fire that devastated the cathedral in 2019 was a double shock for Patrick Renard, who recalled watching the flames rise while attending Mass before the disaster. Now, he said, “This is our return to our church,” and he felt happy and at peace as he entered the cathedral.
The reopening offers closure and comfort for those affected by the fire and the five-year renovation process. As Joris Alibert noted, “The fire made us all understand the importance of our heritage.”
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/08/world/europe/notre-dame-reopened-mass.html