Archbishop Laurent Ulrich of Paris has officially announced the extensive plans for the grand reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral, setting the stage for a series of celebrations that will mark the return of the iconic French landmark. After enduring a devastating fire on April 15, 2019, the Gothic masterpiece is slated to welcome visitors and the faithful once again starting December 8, 2024, with festivities planned to extend into mid-2025, as reported by Vatican News.
The much-anticipated reopening will commence with a procession through the streets of Paris, carrying the revered 14th-century sculpture of the Virgin and Child, which miraculously survived the blaze. This procession, scheduled for fifteen days prior to the cathedral's doors reopening, will symbolize the return of Notre Dame's spiritual essence to its historical home.
The formal reopening festivities are set to begin with a three-day triduum, starting on the evening of December 7. This period will feature a series of ceremonial acts including the official transfer of the cathedral from state ownership back to the Catholic Church, the reawakening of the cathedral's majestic organ, and various liturgical celebrations culminating in the consecration of the altar during the first Mass on December 8, coinciding with the second Sunday of Advent.
Smoke billows as fire engulfs the spire of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France April 15, 2019.
In addition to these inaugural events, an "octave of reopening" from December 8-15 will see daily solemn celebrations, each centered around a specific theme, highlighting the cathedral's renewed life and mission. Archbishop Ulrich emphasized the inclusive nature of the celebrations, extending invitations to public figures, donors, the restoration teams, the firefighters credited with saving the cathedral, bishops from France and abroad, and representatives from French dioceses.
The Archbishop's pastoral letter, published on February 2, extends a warm invitation to Parisians and pilgrims from across the globe to partake in the six-month-long festivities, which will coincide with the 2025 Jubilee of the universal Church. He expressed a fervent desire for the celebrations to embody the diverse and communal spirit of the Christian faith, bringing together people of all ages, backgrounds, and conditions in a shared experience of joy and renewal.
As the Archbishop of Paris since April 2022, Ulrich also took the opportunity to express his profound gratitude towards the donors and patrons whose generosity has been pivotal in the cathedral's reconstruction. The reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral is not just a momentous occasion for Paris and the Catholic Church but stands as a symbol of resilience and unity, promising to be a beacon of hope and beauty for the entire world.
