PARIS (AP) – The scent of incense filled the air as Notre Dame Cathedral held its first Mass on Sunday since a devastating fire in 2019. Beyond its religious significance, the moment became a powerful symbol of Paris' resilience.
Under the glow of traditional chandeliers and modern spotlights illuminating the intricately carved stonework, the cathedral appears before the faithful reborn, revealing its grandeur after more than five years of reconstruction. Restored.
For Catholics, it marks the rebirth of the city's spiritual heart, where their faith has been nurtured for centuries. For the world, this marks the return of one of the world's most famous landmarks.
The event was solemn and historic. Archbishop Laurent Ulrich presided over the morning Mass, which included the dedication of the new bronze altar.
The liturgy was attended by French President Emmanuel Macron, clergy, dignitaries and guests, but admission was closed to the public. Nearly 170 bishops from France and around the world participated in the celebration, and one priest from each parish in the Diocese of Paris and one priest from each of the seven Eastern Rite Catholic Churches led worshipers from these communities. Participated with others.
This is a milestone in Notre Dame's journey from ruin to rebirth. This process is defined by extraordinary craftsmanship, nearly $1 billion in donations from around the world, and an unyielding determination to rebuild what was thought lost.
PARIS, FRANCE – DECEMBER 08: Paris Archbishop Laurent Ulrich leads prayers during the first Mass in the restored cathedral on December 8, 2024 in Paris, France. The Mass, presided over by Archbishop Laurent Ulrich, will bring together nearly 170 bishops from around the world, Parisian priests, heads of state and faithful attendees to celebrate. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images for Notre-Dame de Paris)
An evening mass will be held later Sunday for members of the public who secured reservations last week. The Associated Press learned that tickets for this service were claimed within 25 minutes, highlighting Notre Dame's enduring ability to inspire awe, devotion, and curiosity.
Thousands more people are expected to gather at public viewing areas along the Seine River, hoping to witness this historic moment from afar. What's even more unusual is that this is happening in a country that values secularism and has low church attendance.
Outside, the enthusiasm of the people emphasized the cathedral's place in the hearts of Parisians and visitors. Claude Lancrennon, a retired engineer who watched from the observation area, expressed both awe and disappointment.
“Security is tight,” he said, pointing toward the fence. “Yesterday it seemed to be adequate. But today we were hoping it would be more open and we could get closer to the cathedral. We hope we can still get closer.”
Tight security, similar to that at the Paris Olympics, reflects the importance of the occasion, ensuring the safety of dignitaries and the public alike as the cathedral resumes its role as a global symbol of unity and resilience. It was secured in
Natalie Martino, a former event organizer who was in Paris to visit family, recalled the pain of watching the cathedral burn.
“I cried so much that day,” she said. “And now I'm here. I had to come. It was what I had to do.”
Sunday's mass followed Saturday night's reopening ceremony, in which Ulrich rapped three times on the cathedral's massive wooden doors with a clothier made from charred beams salvaged from the fire to symbolically reopen them. . When the doors opened, a choir filled the cathedral with song, and the cathedral's large organ, which had been silent since the fire, sounded a solemn melody.
Interior restoration has removed centuries of dirt and revealed the cathedral, now with gleaming limestone walls. Restored stained glass windows project dazzling patterns of color throughout the nave.
“No one alive has ever seen a cathedral like this,” said the Rev. Olivier Ribadeau-Dumas, chaplain of Notre Dame Cathedral. “It’s not just restored, it’s reborn.”
Sunday morning's liturgy consecrated a new altar, marking a pivotal moment in Notre Dame's return to full liturgical life.
Mass was celebrated at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, following a prayer led by Paris Archbishop Laurent Ulrich calling for the consecration of the main altar, designed by French artist and designer Guillaume Bardet, to replace the old one that was destroyed in 2019. Believers in attendance. Paris, December 8, 2024. (Photo by JULIEN DE ROSA/AFP, Getty Images)
The altar houses the relics of five saints associated with Paris, including St. Catherine Labelais and St. Charles de Foucault, continuing a centuries-old tradition of embedding sacred artifacts in the center of worship spaces. It continues. The consecration, accompanied by holy water, Christmas oil, incense and prayers, transforms the altar into the sacred central part of the cathedral.
The reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral is not just a religious milestone, but a moment of cultural and national unity. President Macron, who has vowed to restore the cathedral within five years after the fire, attended Saturday's ceremony and said the project was a “glimmer of hope” for France, a country often divided by political crises. .
Sunday Mass emphasizes Notre Dame's dual role as a place of worship and a symbol of community resilience. It will also ensure that members of the wider Catholic community can take part in the cathedral’s spiritual revival.
“This wasn't just restoring a building. It was about restoring the heart of the country,” Dumas said.
The road to recovery was full of challenges. Lead contamination forced a temporary halt to work, and the COVID-19 pandemic caused further delays. But the project, overseen by architect Philippe Villeneuve, is being hailed as a triumph of human ingenuity and collective determination. To protect the cathedral's future, state-of-the-art fire protection systems have been installed, including thermal cameras and mist systems.
Mr. Villeneuve emphasized the personal and national importance of this work, describing it as “restoring not just the building but the soul of the nation.''
Notre Dame Cathedral is poised to once again pierce the Parisian sky with its spire, reclaiming its role as a global beacon of faith and art. The cathedral previously welcomed 12 million visitors a year, but is expected to attract 15 million in its new chapter.
This monumental resurgence is not a one-day event. Ulrich announced eight days of special services, each with its own theme, as an “octave” celebration through Dec. 15. These daily liturgies are open to diverse groups, from local parishioners to international pilgrims, and highlight the role of Notre Dame Cathedral. A spiritual home to unify.
