Paris, April 16, 2024 (KAP/KNA) In the reopening of Notre-Dame de Paris five years after the major fire, the cathedral’s rector sees “a sign of hope for the whole world”. In a broken world full of tension and despair, it shows: “What seemed dead is still standing, thanks to the solidarity of everyone who made it possible,” said Olivier Ribadeau Dumas to the diocesan online magazine “Paris Notre-Dame” on the fifth anniversary the fire on 15/16. April 2019.
The reconstruction is a sign “that brotherhood has real meaning and that when we join forces we can create something great and beautiful,” said the rector. This could not have been foreseen five years ago.
The reopening of the Episcopal Church of Paris is also an opportunity for a spiritual awakening, stressed Ribadeau Dumas; and: “It is not a question of rebuilding a museum, but of a church called to be a sign of God’s presence in the heart of our city.”
Altar consecration on December 8th
The rector also explained what the reopening will look like on December 8th. On the afternoon of December 7th, the doors of Notre-Dame will be ceremoniously opened; followed by the blessing of the organ, which had to be completely dismantled, cleaned and reassembled. The conclusion is a Te Deum and the Magnificat.
The consecration of the new altar will take place on the morning of December 8th, the second Sunday of Advent and the Catholic feast of the Conception of the Virgin Mary. This is followed by the first mass. Another Mass will be celebrated on December 9th in the presence of numerous bishops and priests from France and around the world.
Since the Paris Cathedral only has 1,500 seats, a large tent will be set up around the church. Large screens will be installed there and throughout the city so that visitors and all residents of Paris can see their cathedral again. In the following days until December 15th, services will be held for non-profit organizations, for those in need, for individual religious communities, for young people, donors, carers, etc.
Epitome of cathedrals
The early Gothic Parisian Episcopal Church of Notre-Dame is a landmark of Paris. Many consider it to be the epitome of France’s cathedrals. The church, dedicated to Mary, Mother of God, is located prominently on the Seine island Ile de la Cite in the historic center and was visited by around 12 to 14 million people annually before the major fire in 2019.
During renovation work, a major fire broke out on the roof of Notre-Dame on April 15, 2019, destroying the roof and roof structure, parts of the vaults and the crossing tower. President Emmanuel Macron’s wish to reopen by the fifth anniversary of the fire could not be fully met; but it is scheduled to take place on December 8th.