Mgr Ribadeau Dumas wants to welcome all visitors “in the understanding of faith”
“The reopening of the cathedral sounds like an awakening of the soul of the French people who, after the fire five years ago, united to overcome this ordeal and look to the future. Notre-Dame symbolizes the unity of hope, the encounter with others and the fraternity that was established throughout the construction site between the artisans of this restoration.
I invite all those who are eager to enter the cathedral, saying: “Come as you are, for you are at home!” “Parishioners, believers from all over the world, foreign tourists, simple passers-by attracted by the beauty of the place… we will welcome all visitors without distinction as to their cultural or religious motivation.
What a magnificent word indeed, “visitor”, which refers to the Visitation of Mary to her cousin Elizabeth shortly after learning that she was going to give birth.
My great hope is that by admiring this architecture intended to glorify God, those who enter will have an encounter and discover at the same time the works of art and the journey of faith that we offer, because everything is linked in the cathedral.
We want to accompany those who cross the central portal in the understanding of faith. To do this, we have renewed and made this liturgical journey more coherent and accessible thanks to new mediation tools – signage, pilgrim’s booklet, application, etc.
Visitors will first discover the Old Testament by walking along the northern chapels, then will go to meet Christ around the relic of the crown of thorns, in the apse. Pilgrims will now be able, if they wish, to touch the reliquary, an important gesture in popular practice, which is found in major places of pilgrimage.
The route will continue on the south side, where we will find the teachings of the Church. The themes of the chapels also subtly echo each other across the nave.
Notre-Dame has been a sacred building for almost a millennium. In this peaceful continuity, we will bear witness to the faith which permeates its stones during the three masses which will punctuate each day, celebrated from now on on the new high altar, at the entrance to the choir, in the middle of the crowd. We will also introduce adoration to the Blessed Sacrament in the choir in the evening, and a recitation of the rosary in front of the statue of Notre-Dame de Paris (the Virgin of the Pillar) spared by the fire.
Of course, it requires a certain asceticism to celebrate in this busy cathedral. But what joy and what emotion! We Catholics are not a closed club! These celebrations will allow us to rediscover the very essence of our religion, which is universal. It is for this same reason that we will translate our visitor information into fourteen languages in order to address everyone, whatever their country, their culture, whether rich or poor, able-bodied or disabled. All visitors will be welcomed and will be able to soak up the place and admire it. Having come in to look, I hope that they will finally let themselves be looked at by the cathedral. »
