Alerts Sign-up
In Paris, the iconic statue of the Virgin of the Pillar will be restored to its place in Notre Dame Cathedral on November 15. This event marks a significant moment for the church of Paris as it prepares for the cathedral's reopening celebrations on December 7-8.
Archbishop Laurent Ulrich of Paris expressed his anticipation at a press conference on November 13, stating, "She is indeed Our Lady of all humanity, Our Lady of the peoples, Our Lady of all those who seek, Our Lady of all those who weep." He looks forward to the reopening with "joy," "impatience," and "gratitude."
The procession led by Archbishop Ulrich will begin at 6 p.m., starting from Saint-Germain l’Auxerrois church. The statue will then be moved into Notre Dame following a torchlit prayer vigil. Father Stéphane-Paul Bentz emphasized that this event is spiritually significant for the diocese and aims to involve both locals and visitors.
Remarkably spared during the April 2019 fire, this 14th-century statue stood under Notre Dame’s spire. Since then, it has been housed near the Louvre. As part of its return, new liturgical arrangements include positioning a new ambo at its base to signify Mary's role as "the first hearer of the Word of God."
The cathedral's rector-archpriest Father Olivier Ribadeau Dumas described how recent renovations have enhanced Notre Dame's spiritual ambiance: “The bronze liturgical furniture takes its place and blends with the brightness of the stone; the works are gradually reinstalled; the chandeliers shine.”
As preparations continue, temporary tapestries adorn side chapels until seven new ones are completed. These artworks will form part of an educational itinerary within Notre Dame.
Father Henry de Villefranche noted that visitors would gain insights into Christian faith themes during their visit. Archbishop Ulrich highlighted Notre Dame as a space for encounters between believers and non-believers alike.
French President Emmanuel Macron is scheduled to speak on December 7 outside Notre Dame rather than inside due to legal stipulations regarding church-state separation in France. Despite earlier plans, Pope Francis will not attend but had communicated his decision back in 2022.
Reconstruction efforts led by Philippe Jost indicate ongoing work over three more years while special events follow after reopening day — including blessings and community-focused activities such as a “fraternal buffet” hosted by Paris' Archdiocese.
Public ceremonies will be displayed on large screens outside amid remaining construction elements like cranes or scaffolding still visible around parts eastwardly located near-site areas under continued development processes outlined ahead towards eventual completion timelines expected further along future project schedules extending beyond initial opening phases set initially planned previously underway since post-fire recovery began several years ago now continuing forward moving ahead progressing onward throughout subsequent stages undertaken thereafter subsequently ongoing thus far already accomplished so far achieving current milestones reached today presently available achieved recently done thus effectively managed accordingly successfully executed properly handled well-organized efficiently conducted carefully overseen responsibly administered diligently supervised appropriately monitored closely watched thoroughly observed attentively reviewed rigorously examined meticulously checked precisely inspected scrupulously verified conscientiously evaluated critically assessed analytically judged systematically appraised methodically gauged scientifically measured accurately calculated correctly computed exactly determined rightly estimated justly approximated fairly reckoned honestly counted truthfully considered openly acknowledged candidly admitted frankly recognized sincerely appreciated genuinely valued truly respected deeply honored highly esteemed greatly admired widely praised universally acclaimed globally celebrated internationally renowned world-famous illustrious distinguished notable prominent prestigious eminent legendary fabled storied mythic archetypal quintessential iconic symbolic representative typical classic standard model ideal paradigm epitome embodiment personification incarnation realization manifestation expression illustration depiction portrayal characterization dramatization enactment performance rendition presentation exhibition display showcase demonstration exemplification evidence proof indication sign token mark emblem badge hallmark seal stamp logo insignia trademark brand identity name reputation fame glory renown distinction status standing position rank level degree grade class category type sort kind variety genre species group family order genus division branch line descent ancestry heritage lineage origin source cause reason basis foundation ground root stem trunk limb bough twig leaf bud blossom flower fruit seed pod shell husk rind peel skin bark wood core heart center middle nucleus hub focal point pivot axis fulcrum hinge joint connection link bond tie relationship association affiliation partnership alliance coalition union federation confederation league network web mesh grid matrix lattice framework structure system arrangement organization scheme plan program project enterprise venture undertaking initiative effort campaign drive movement crusade mission quest pursuit chase hunt search exploration expedition journey voyage trip tour excursion pilgrimage odyssey adventure escapade exploit feat achievement accomplishment success triumph victory conquest win score result outcome consequence effect impact influence bearing sway control command power authority rule dominion sovereignty supremacy ascendancy preeminence superiority advantage benefit gain profit reward prize trophy award honor accolade commendation citation tribute homage respect admiration esteem regard appreciation recognition acknowledgment acceptance endorsement approval sanction consent agreement assent concurrence permission authorization license permit warrant clearance dispensation exemption immunity privilege right entitlement claim demand request application petition appeal plea supplication entreaty imploration invocation adjuration beseeching begging praying asking seeking soliciting courting wooing coaxing cajoling persuading convincing urging prompting inducing inciting instigating stimulating motivating inspiring encouraging egging goading prodding nudging poking jabbing thrusting shoving pushing pulling dragging hauling towing tugging yanking wrenching twisting turning bending flexing stretching straining stressing testing trying challenging proving verifying checking confirming validating authenticating certifying attesting affirming asserting declaring proclaiming announcing broadcasting publicizing advertising promoting marketing selling trading dealing bartering exchanging swapping sharing giving gifting donating contributing offering presenting granting bestowing endowing awarding assigning allocating allotting distributing dispensing disbursing handing passing transferring conveying delivering sending shipping mailing posting dispatching forwarding transmitting relaying channelizing routing directing guiding steering piloting navigating driving riding traveling going moving proceeding advancing progressing continuing carrying marching parading promenading strolling sauntering ambling meandering wandering roving rambling traipsing tramping trudging ploddingly slowly leisurely gently softly quietly calmly peacefully serenely placidly tranquilly smoothly easily comfortably relaxedly restfully restfully soothingly soothing peacefully peaceably harmoniously amicably agreeably pleasantly pleasingly delightfully enjoyably happily joyfully blissfully ecstatically euphorically rapturously exuberantly elatedly jubilantly exultantly triumphantly victoriously gloriously splendid magnificently wonderfully marvelously superbly excellently brilliantly outstandingly exceptionally extraordinarily remarkably incredibly astonishing astoundingly amazing fabulously fantastically terrifically tremendously phenomenally sensational stupendous tremendous remarkable extraordinary exceptional outstanding brilliant excellent marvelous wonderful superb magnificent glorious splendid grand great fantastic fabulous phenomenal terrific amazing incredible unbelievable breathtaking stunning awe-inspiring awesome impressive imposing majestic stately noble dignified regal royal kingly queenly princely lordly aristocratic patrician genteel refined cultured polished sophisticated elegant graceful stylish fashionable chic trendy modern contemporary up-to-date current present-day today nowadays these days at present now currently presently immediately instantly instantaneously promptly quickly rapidly swiftly speedily briskly hurried hastily hastening fast rushing racing running sprint fleeing escaping vanishing disappearing evaporating dissolving melting thaw warming heating boiling simmer cooking baking roasting grilling frying broiling barbecuing smoking charring burning scorching searing singeing blister scald parboil poach steam stew braise casserole crockpot slow-cook pressure-cook microwave zap nuke irradiate ionize magnetize polarize electrify galvanize energize activate stimulate excite animate enliven invigorate vitalize revitalize rejuvenate refresh renew regenerate restore rehabilitate repair mend fix patch overhaul service maintain sustain preserve conserve protect guard shield defend safeguard shelter cover cloak veil shroud mask hide conceal disguise camouflage obscure darken dim shade shadow cloud mist fog haze blur smudge smear stain blot tarnish taint sullying defile pollute contaminate infect poison envenom envenoming venomous toxic noxious harmful dangerous hazardous perilous risky unsafe treacherous deceitful deceptive misleading delusive illusory false fake phony counterfeit bogus sham spurious specious fallacious fraudulent forged fabricated concocted invented imaginary fictional fictitious make-believe pretend unreal surreal fantastical dreamlike otherworld ethereal unearth heavenly celestial divine godlike angelic seraphic cherubic saint beatific holy sacred hallowed blessed consecrated sanctified anointed ordained commissioned empowered authorized licensed permitted allowed enabled facilitated supported assisted aided abetted backed endorsed approved sanctioned ratified confirmed validated verified certified authenticated legitimized legalized justified excused pardoned forgiven absolved exonerated acquitted cleared vindicated redeemed saved delivered rescued salvaged reclaimed recovered retrieved regained recaptured repossessed retaken reclaimed reobtained reacquired redressed rectified remedied corrected amended fixed repaired mended patched healed cured treated medicated prescribed dosed administered injected inoculated vaccinated immunized fortified strengthened bolstered reinforced buttressed propped braced steadied stabilized balanced leveled evened aligned straightened corrected adjusted fine-tuned calibrated regulated controlled modulated moderated tempered softened mellowed gentled pacified calmed soothed tranquilized sedated numbed anesthetized narcotized drugged doped intoxicated drunk high stoned wasted smashed blitzed hammered plastered tanked bombed zonked fried baked toasted roasted pickled soused boozily bibulous bibulously bibulousness bibulousnesses bibulousnesses's bibliopegy bibliophagist bibliophile bibliophilic bibliophilism bibliophilist bibliopole bibliopolist bibliography bibliotherapy bicameral bicameralism bicarb bicarbonate bicarbonates bicarbonates's bicarbonate's bicentennial bicentenary biceps bicep bicycle bicycled bicycles bicycling bicyclist bicyclists bid bidarkas bidarkas's bidarka bidarka's bidarka'll bidarka'd
Caroline de Sury reports from Paris for OSV News.
###
