As the iconic Cathedral of Notre Dame de Paris reopened its doors five years after a devastating fire, Pope Francis on Saturday called the church’s restoration a “prophetic sign” of the Church’s renewal in France.
In a message read by Archbishop Celestino Migliore, the apostolic nuncio to France, during Saturday’s reopening ceremony, Pope Francis expressed his joy at joining “in spirit and prayer” with the faithful gathered for the historic occasion.
The pope recalled the “terrible fire” that severely damaged the cathedral in April 2019, saying: “Our hearts were heavy at the risk of seeing a masterpiece of Christian faith and architecture disappear, a millennial witness to your national history.”
“Today, sadness and mourning give way to joy, celebration, and praise,” the Holy Father wrote in his message, addressed to Archbishop Laurent Ulrich of Paris.
The pope particularly praised the firefighters “who worked so courageously to save this historic monument from collapse” and acknowledged the “determined commitment of public authorities” along with the “great wave of international generosity” that made the restoration possible.
This outpouring of support, Francis noted, demonstrates not only an attachment to art and history but also “the symbolic and sacred value of such an edifice is still widely perceived, from the smallest to the greatest.”
Looking to the future, the pope emphasized the cathedral’s role as a beacon of faith: “Dear faithful of Paris and France, this house, which our Heavenly Father inhabits, is yours; you are its living stones.”
The pontiff expressed hope that Notre Dame would continue to welcome visitors from all backgrounds, noting it would soon “be visited and admired again by immense crowds of people of all conditions, origins, religions, languages and cultures, many of them in search of the absolute and meaning in their lives.”
The message concluded with Pope Francis imparting his apostolic blessing and invoking “the protection of Notre Dame de Paris over the Church in France and the entire French nation.”
Paris was abuzz with excitement after the beloved Notre Dame Cathedral reopened after a devastating fire.
The April 2019 blaze broke out in the church’s roof space, destroying its iconic spire and damaging the cathedral’s roof and upper walls. Restoration work has been underway on the 860-year-old building ever since.
While there is still more work to be done to ensure the restored medieval cathedral can dominate the Paris skyline for centuries to come, the church opened its doors to the public on Saturday. Demand for access was huge, with people coming from near and far to line the streets of Paris and wait to see the cathedral reopen.
What happened when Notre Dame Cathedral reopened?
The doors of Notre Dame Cathedral were opened by Laurent Ulrich, the Archbishop of Paris, in a traditional ceremony. He knocked on the heavy front doors of the medieval church with a crozier, or staff. The staff was made of wood salvaged from the cathedral’s charred roof, according to the Associated Press.
A psalm was sung from within the cathedral. The cathedral’s 8,000-pipe organ was also used to respond to the archbishop’s invocation, as four organists performed, the AP reported. After the psalm was sung three times, the doors opened.
Guests entered through the cathedral’s western facade for a ceremony “steeped in history,” the AP reported. It was followed by a star-studded prerecorded concert, featuring artists including cellist Yo-Yo Ma, according to the Associated Press. The performances focused on a message of harmony that celebrated the cathedral’s resurrection and role as a sanctuary.
Ulrich and other clergy members wore vibrant liturgical garments designed by renowned French fashion designer Jean-Charles de Castelbajac. Castelbajac combined modern elements with medieval touches on colorful pieces for more than 700 celebrants, the AP reported.
Speaking inside the cathedral, French President Emmanuel Macron expressed “gratitude” Saturday to those who saved, helped, and rebuilt Notre Dame, his voice reverberating through the nave.
“I stand before you … to express the gratitude of the French nation,” he said.
“Tonight, the bells of Notre Dame are ringing again. And in a moment, the organ will awaken,” sending the “music of hope” cascading through the luminous interior to Parisians, France, and the world beyond, he said, according to the AP.
Restoring Notre Dame Cathedral inspires a new generation
As the flames engulfed Notre Dame on that spring 2019 day, many feared that even if the cathedral survived the blaze, the skills needed to restore it were long lost. But it turned out there were still many traditional craftsmen and women quietly at work in France, and soon an army of artisans was drafted to restore the historic monument. It was an assignment of a lifetime, according to decorative painter Camille Schmoeker.
“Every day my coworkers and I were pinching ourselves, like, ‘We are here,'” said Schmoeker, who described her job as applying makeup touch-ups over the work of stonemasons. “It’s gratifying to know that I have helped create something better than what it was, and it will outlast my lifetime.”
Chief architect Philippe Villeneuve said the restoration shone a new light on traditional ways of working in construction and restoration. American carpenter Hank Silver, who worked on rebuilding the cathedral’s timber roof, said the fire had a surprising effect on him and other workers.
“It’s maybe a bit of a maybe a controversial point to say, but in many ways, this fire has been a great gift, not just to me personally, but (to) young people who really otherwise would never know that they could have a career as a traditional carpenter, stone cutter, mason. These trades are in the public eye again,” Silver said. “I think there’s nothing better you can do with your life, really.”
For the artisans who have dedicated the past half-decade of their lives to rebuilding the historic site, the reopening is a bittersweet moment.
“I never thought I would get to do something like that,” said apprentice roofer Mael Testas.
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