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The statue of the Virgin of Paris has returned to Notre Dame Cathedral after a five-year absence. Thousands of Parisians joined in a procession on November 15, praying and singing as they accompanied the statue back to its original home, now restored following the devastating fire in April 2019.
The statue, known as the Virgin and Child or the Virgin of the Pillar, had been housed at the Church of Saint-Germain l’Auxerrois near the Louvre since the fire. Auxiliary Bishop Philippe Marsset described its survival as "a kind of miracle," stating that it remained standing amid flames and water, symbolizing divine protection during the disaster.
Despite France's secular nature, many citizens participated in this significant event. The procession began at 6 p.m., with Archbishop Laurent Ulrich welcoming participants outside Saint-Germain l’Auxerrois. The original statue was transported by truck for security reasons while a replica was carried by foot along the Seine River towards Notre Dame Cathedral.
Upon arrival at approximately 7 p.m., attendees were greeted by Maîtrise Notre Dame, the cathedral’s choir. The archbishop blessed the original statue before it was taken inside the construction site. Concurrently, a youth association led a prayer vigil outside.
Volunteer leader Noémie Teyssier d’Orfeuil noted that this event transformed from a logistical move into a missionary occasion, emphasizing Notre Dame’s religious significance ahead of its official reopening in December.
Father Gaëtan de Bodard, chaplain for Paris' firefighters who saved Notre Dame during the blaze, shared stories of conversions sparked by witnessing faith during such adversity. He recounted how one firefighter rediscovered his faith after seeing Parisians praying together on that fateful night.
Bishop Marsset highlighted symbols like the cross inside Notre Dame and the saved Virgin as signs of hope beyond destruction: “Mary...and the cross...gave us direction."
Caroline de Sury reports from Paris for OSV News.
