On this Wednesday, December 25, there is a place where Christmas is celebrated with even more joy: at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris. The first Christmas mass since the fire of April 2019 was celebrated Tuesday evening, December 24 in the restored building which reopened its doors at the beginning of December. While several masses were celebrated in the evening, as well as on Wednesday morning, the building was crowded with faithful for this Renaissance Christmas.
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No less than four Nativity masses were scheduled for Tuesday, December 24 at Notre-Dame of Paris : at 4 p.m., 6 p.m., 8 p.m. and midnight for the traditional high Christmas mass. This was chaired by the Archbishop of Paris, Mgr Laurent Ulrich.
Many faithful, believers traditionally go to Christmas masses to celebrate what for Christians means the birth of Jesus. A tenfold success this year with the reopening of the monument on December 8. In total, 2,700 people gathered for the midnight mass.
A unique moment in the restored cathedral for this father: “ It was magical, a Christmas mass is magnificent. » Among all these people, there are some who have come from very far away, like Roberto and his family. They left Florida for a few days to spend Christmas at Notre-Dame: “ It was so powerful to be in this church which reopened its doors only two weeks ago and to be here, in France, with my family, it is a really very special moment. »
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THE ” construction site of the century »
The rebirth of Notre-Dame Cathedral was one of the highlights of this year in France. Since rebuilding Notre-Dame in five years was a promise from French President Emmanuel Macron the day after the fireApril 15, 2019. A bet held thanks to the 2,000 workers, carpenters, architects, scaffolders, mobilized on what was called the “ construction site of the century “.
Five years later, the stone vault was restored, the framework rebuilt, and the organ resonated again. And above all, Notre-Dame is a luminous cathedral, warm thanks to the blondness of its meticulously cleaned stone. These five years of work have been rewarded with this reopening in time for the Christmas holidays, at the beginning of December with two days of festivities.
Also readNotre-Dame de Paris: the tour de force of a “sacred” renovation
Already more than 300,000 visitors since reopening
Since December 16, the cathedral has been open at its usual hours, and there are crowds. In total, 300,000 people went to Notre-Dame over the last nine days, according to a cathedral official. A figure which takes into account both the people who attend masses and those who visit the monument.
Proof of the success and interest in the renewed monument, all online tickets are sold out until the end of the year, whether for masses or to visit the monument. However, places may become available at the last minute for people in queue.
Also readNotre-Dame de Paris: story of an extraordinary cathedral