A host of ceremonies will take place this weekend as part of the official reopening of France’s legendary Notre Dame Cathedral, which was badly damaged in a 2019 fire.
It will begin on Saturday, December 7, with the Archbishop Laurent Ulrich knocking on the door of the Paris cathedral with his crosier [a Bishop staff] to return to life the building to worship where he will be joined by more than 1,500 guests, LeMonde reported.
It will be followed by a choir singing Psalm 23, 7-10. Ulrich will then re-awaken the cathedral’s thunderous organ with its nearly 8,000 pipes, that were covered at one point in the blaze, the Associated Press reported. This will occur with a series of incantations as the Archbishop states the following, “Awaken, organ, sacred instrument: Sing the praise of God.”
Notre Dame’s reopening will begin with an archbishop’s knock on the doors. Here’s what comes next https://t.co/SwWcRerDQp
— The Associated Press (@AP) December 6, 2024
Four organists will operate the organ with its five keyboards of 56 notes, foot pedals for 30 notes, and 115 stops, the outlet noted.
Exactly what the organists will respond with is unknown, with one organist, Olivier Latry, telling the AP, “Since it’s improvisation, you really need to feel the moment.”
CHECK OUT THE DAILY WIRE HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE
“When I am there, I will know what I am going to do,” he added. “Before that, I simply have a few ideas but the ideas are not fully formed — because they will change depending on the atmosphere, the lighting, the people who’ll be down below, their reaction.”
And on Sunday, the first Catholic Mass to be held in the cathedral since the fire engulfed the building in April 2019 will take place with special rites to consecrate the main altar, the outlet noted. It follows the massive restoration process that reportedly cost more than $700 million on the roughly 860-year-old cathedral over the last few years.
President-elect Donald Trump announced on Monday that he will travel to France to attend the re-opening ceremonies.
“It is an honor to announce that I will be traveling to Paris, France, on Saturday to attend the re-opening of the Magnificent and Historic Notre Dame Cathedral, which has been fully restored after a devastating fire five years ago,” Trump said in a post to Truth Social.
“President Emmanuel Macron has done a wonderful job ensuring that Notre Dame has been restored to its full level of glory, and even more so,” he added. “It will be a very special day for all!”
French authorities have said they suspected the fire started due to a lit cigarette or a faulty electrical connection, but The New York Times noted last month that an investigation continues and the cause “may never be determined.”
Daniel Chaitin contributed to this piece.
Related: Trump To Visit Paris For Notre Dame Re-Opening
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A host of ceremonies will take place this weekend as part of the official reopening of France’s legendary Notre Dame Cathedral, which was badly damaged in a 2019 fire.
It will begin on Saturday, December 7, with the Archbishop Laurent Ulrich knocking on the door of the Paris cathedral with his crosier [a Bishop staff] to return to life the building to worship where he will be joined by more than 1,500 guests, LeMonde reported.
It will be followed by a choir singing Psalm 23, 7-10. Ulrich will then re-awaken the cathedral’s thunderous organ with its nearly 8,000 pipes, that were covered at one point in the blaze, the Associated Press reported. This will occur with a series of incantations as the Archbishop states the following, “Awaken, organ, sacred instrument: Sing the praise of God.”
Notre Dame’s reopening will begin with an archbishop’s knock on the doors. Here’s what comes next https://t.co/SwWcRerDQp
— The Associated Press (@AP) December 6, 2024
Four organists will operate the organ with its five keyboards of 56 notes, foot pedals for 30 notes, and 115 stops, the outlet noted.
Exactly what the organists will respond with is unknown, with one organist, Olivier Latry, telling the AP, “Since it’s improvisation, you really need to feel the moment.”
CHECK OUT THE DAILY WIRE HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE
“When I am there, I will know what I am going to do,” he added. “Before that, I simply have a few ideas but the ideas are not fully formed — because they will change depending on the atmosphere, the lighting, the people who’ll be down below, their reaction.”
And on Sunday, the first Catholic Mass to be held in the cathedral since the fire engulfed the building in April 2019 will take place with special rites to consecrate the main altar, the outlet noted. It follows the massive restoration process that reportedly cost more than $700 million on the roughly 860-year-old cathedral over the last few years.
President-elect Donald Trump announced on Monday that he will travel to France to attend the re-opening ceremonies.
“It is an honor to announce that I will be traveling to Paris, France, on Saturday to attend the re-opening of the Magnificent and Historic Notre Dame Cathedral, which has been fully restored after a devastating fire five years ago,” Trump said in a post to Truth Social.
“President Emmanuel Macron has done a wonderful job ensuring that Notre Dame has been restored to its full level of glory, and even more so,” he added. “It will be a very special day for all!”
French authorities have said they suspected the fire started due to a lit cigarette or a faulty electrical connection, but The New York Times noted last month that an investigation continues and the cause “may never be determined.”
Daniel Chaitin contributed to this piece.
Related: Trump To Visit Paris For Notre Dame Re-Opening
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