Originally published at National Catholic Register
This will be the first Christmas celebration since the restoration of the historic church following a devastating 2019 fire.
The rector of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris has blessed the Nativity scene at the historic French landmark church ahead of the first Christmas celebrations since its restoration after a devastating 2019 fire.
“You know, for the past 10 days, we’ve been feeling very joyful,” said Notre Dame rector Msgr. Olivier Ribadeau Dumas during the ceremony. “My greatest joy is to see people happy because they have a cathedral again, not only because they see these stones again but also because it’s a place for prayer that they got back.”
During the ceremonial blessing of the 17th-century-style creche, Msgr. Dumas shook an olive branch soaked in holy water over the Nativity scene, while those of the faithful in attendance prayed and sang hymns.
“I am the rector of a cathedral that had burnt down,” Msgr. Dumas said, adding: “And I am now the happy rector of a cathedral that has reopened to welcome all of those who will enter it: pilgrims, visitors and believers.”
Notre Dame Cathedral underwent five years of renovation after a fire in April 2019 broke out
