On the 15th of November, the faithful carried the Virgin of the Pillar back to Notre-Dame de Paris, which reopens in all its glory on the 7th of December
On the 7th of December, Notre-Dame de Paris reopens in the presence of the French President, Emmanuel Macron. This momentous occasion marks the culmination of an extensive restoration project that has mobilized over 2,000 artisans and craftsmen, costing approximately €700 million6.Also invited was the Pope. According to Le Canard enchaîné, however, the Pope declined due to the floated end-of-life bill, which has the support of the president.
Nevertheless, festivities will be grand promising a series of musical highlights, not least the sounding of the famous orgue, which survived the fire and destruction.
The reopening festivities will span from December 7 to December 15, 2024, with a series of events that echo the cathedral’s rich history:
- December 7: An invite-only grand opening ceremony, broadcast globally, featuring French President Emmanuel Macron
- December 8: The first public mass and consecration of the new altar, presided over by Archbishop Laurent Ulrich6.
- December 8-15: An Octave of celebrations, including daily themed events and special evening openings for the public
Restoration Highlights
The restoration process has been meticulous, aiming to return Notre-Dame to its former glory while incorporating modern safety features.
Apart from the reconstruction of the iconic spire and lead roof, an installation of new fire-prevention measures, including a sprinkler system claims to be state of the art. Also, a restoration of the cathedral’s bells, which rang together for the first time since the fire on November 8, 2024, was undertaken
However, the reopening of Notre-Dame is not just a architectural triumph but also a cultural renaissance:
As part of the reopening, a new altar in bronze and stone has been designed by Guillaume Bardet along with the other liturgical elements, The new altar will replace the previous one installed in 1989 by Cardinal Jean-Marie Lustiger. Bardet’s design aims to create a work that embraces the past, embodies the present, and envisions the future, resonating with both religious and non-religious visitors to the cathedral. Also, new stained-glass windows are planned for installation in 2026, featuring works by contemporary artists
At present, the programme for the reopening has not been posted in detail. However, several exhibitions are currently leading up to the event where the church will once rise as the living and beating heart of the old Paris.
Virgin of the Pillar
Source: Wikipedia
Yesterday, however, the faithful opened the festivities by organising a pilgrimage through the streets of Paris to bring the Virgin back.
The statue known as the Virgin of the Pillar was miraculously spared during the inferno, which hit the Cathedral in Paris in 2019. The statue was found next to pieces of fallen timber, rubble of stones and the remains of the collapsed vault in the transept. On the 15th of November, she was carried through the evening to the 12th-century altar at the south-eastern pillar during a solemn procession.
The sculptural remains date back to the mid-14th century. Originally, it was located in the former abbey of the canons at the Ile da la Cité. However, in 1818 it was transferred to Notre-Dame, replacing the 13th-century sculpture destroyed during the Revolution in 1793.
PHOTO:
The Virgin of the Pillar in Notre-Dame de Paris. © Notre-Dame de Paris
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