Mass will beld in a side chapel which houses the crown of thorns

Notre-Dame de Paris will have its first Mass since the cathedral’s dreadful fire in April on Saturday evening in a side chapel which houses the crown of thorns. It has been scheduled to take place in this side chapel purely for security reasons. The mass will be celebrated on a very small scale and will be led by Archbishop of Paris Michel Aupetit.

Msgr. Patrick Chauvet, the rector of the cathedral, said that it’s “very important to make the world aware of the role of the cathedral” and the role of the cathedral is to show the awe-inspiring glory of God. Msgr. Patrick Chauvet then went on to say that celebrating the Eucharist on Saturday, regardless of the size of the group, will be the sign of this glory and grace.

Priests and canons from the cathedral will make up the 20 people who will take part. Hard hats must be worn for safety concerns. Vespers might be held beforehand in the square in front of the cathedral. A Marian shrine will also soon be set up here.

June 15 was chosen to celebrate is the anniversary of the cathedral’s altar dedication. The anniversary is celebrated every year on June 16.

Shortly before 7 p.m. on April 15, a fire broke out in the cathedral which destroyed the roof and spire which dated back to the 19th century. Fortunately, the cathedral’s main structure had been saved from collapse thanks to the tireless and persistent efforts of commendable firefighters.

Major religious, as well as artistic treasures, were taken out of the cathedral as soon as the fire began spreading. One of the religious treasures taken out was the crown of thorns.

Restorative work was underway when the fire broke out. However, it is unclear if the fire began in the work area.

In May, the French Senate passed a bill which mandates that the Notre Dame be rebuilt to the condition it was in before the fire. An “inventive reconstruction” of the cathedral was called for by President Emmanuel Macron.

Religious buildings in France have been the property of the state since the implementation of the 1905 law which formalizes laïcité or separates the church and the state.

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