Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, Notre Dame commenced its first Sunday Mass after the heart-wrenching building damage in 2019. The renovation project was set to cost €6 million (R95 million), and its new, contracted alter was consecrated on Sunday, 8 December.
Unsplash/Guillaume Didelet
NBC NEWS reported that the official reopening was held on Saturday (7 Saturday), with a ceremony and celebration to commemorate the big day. Thousands of people lined the streets to participate in and witness this historic event, including a number of royal members and famous celebrities (such as Prince William and Donald Trump).
Sunday Mass was a packed affair, as nearly 200 religious figures and 2500 individuals attended the service. This service also had a wide range of ceremonial practices that formed part of the consecration of the bronze altar.
Rev. Olivier Ribadeau Dumas, the rector of Notre Dame, commented on the significance of this reopening of this iconic religious structure:
“This was not just about restoring a building. It was about restoring the heart of the nation,” CBS NEWS reported.
New and innovative systems have been incorporated into the building to ensure the structure’s safety from fire. Misting systems and thermal surveillance cameras have been placed to assist in fire prevention.
Beyond the formal services in the Notre Dame, Paris had many celebratory events during the week leading up to this momentous opening weekend. After the weekend, a few other religious services will be held and up and running till 15 December to commemorate this opening of the catholic institution in style.
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