To Sunday 08 December 2024 at 13h00
On Saturday, December 7, 2024, Notre-Dame de Paris will once again embrace its role as a place of worship and historical heritage during a solemn ceremony. The inaugural service, led by Archbishop Laurent Ulrich of Paris, marks the resurrection of the cathedral after five years of restoration.
On Sunday, December 8, 2024, the first Mass in the restored cathedral will be highlighted by the consecration of the main altar. Presided over by Archbishop Laurent Ulrich, the Mass will gather nearly 170 bishops from around the world, Parisian priests, heads of state, and faithful attendees to celebrate this unique event.
Ceremonies Details
· December 7
The reopening service will take place in the presence of the President of the Republic, who will address numerous heads of state and government, dignitaries, patrons, and guests invited jointly by the State and the diocese, alongside representatives of all Parisian parishes, members of the cathedral chapter, and the clergy of Paris.
During the ritual of the opening of the doors, the Archbishop will strike the closed door of Notre-Dame de Paris with his crosier. The cathedral will “respond” by chanting Psalm 121 three times. After being silent for years, the cathedral will resound once again with songs of praise, and on the third chant, the doors will open.
Following this initial rite, the service will unfold in three parts:
- The awakening of the grand organ: After opening the service with the sign of the cross, the Archbishop will bless the instrument. Eight times, he will address the grand organ, and it will respond.
- The chanting of the service: This will include a hymn, a psalm, the Magnificat, prayer intentions for the world, and the Lord’s Prayer.
- The final blessing and the Te Deum: The Archbishop will conclude the ceremony with a blessing, followed by the chanting of the Te Deum.
The service will feature performances by the choirs of the Maîtrise Notre-Dame de Paris. Olivier Latry, Vincent Dubois, Thierry Escaich, and Thibault Fajoles will play the grand organ, while Yves Castagnet will accompany from the cathedral choir using a temporary instrument (until the choir organ is reconstructed). The clergy will wear liturgical vestments designed by Jean-Charles de Castelbajac.
The service will be followed by a broadcast produced by France TV, aired globally from the cathedral’s forecourt, to share the joy of the reopening with the wider world and thank those who made it possible.
· December 8
The liturgy of the Mass will feature several key moments:
- Sprinkling of Holy Water
- After greeting the assembly, the Archbishop blesses water and sprinkles it over the congregation.
- He then sprinkles the altar and ambo as a sign of purification, symbolizing their sacred purpose.
- Liturgy of the Word
- Biblical readings, proclaimed from the newly installed ambo, will be the same as those heard worldwide on this Second Sunday of Advent.
- Archbishop Ulrich will deliver a homily, offering a reflection on the Word of God and the significance of the day’s celebration.
- Consecration of the Altar
The altar is prepared and consecrated through five distinct rites:
- Placement of relics of saints: Five saints closely connected to the Church of Paris will have their relics sealed within the altar: Saint Marie Eugénie Milleret, Saint Madeleine Sophie Barat, Saint Catherine Labouré, Saint Charles de Foucauld, Blessed Vladimir Ghika.
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- Prayer of dedication and the anointing with holy oil (the primary rite).
- Incense offering.
- Dressing and illumination of the altar.
The Mass will be accompanied by the Maîtrise Notre-Dame de Paris choirs, with the following organists:
- Olivier Latry, Vincent Dubois, Thierry Escaich, and Thibault Fajoles at the grand organ.
- Yves Castagnet, performing from the choir with a temporary organ while the choir organ is under reconstruction.
Public Access and Viewing
However, the public can follow the event:
- Live broadcast by France TV, with worldwide coverage.
- Giant screens : Viewing areas on the left bank accommodating up to 40,000 people will be set up along the high quays.
Viewing zones, accessible from 3 PM (on Saturday, December 7) and from 8 AM (on Sunday, December 8), will be divided into four sections with designated access points:
- Zone 1: Rue Dauphine and Rue des Grands Augustins
- Zone 2: Place Saint-Michel
- Zone 3: Rue Lagrange and Rue du Haut Pavé
- Zone 3 bis: Rue du Maître Albert and Rue de Bièvres
- Zone 4: Rue de Pontoise and Quai de la Tournelle
Spectators will receive wristbands while supplies last (no prior reservations or QR codes). Once capacity is reached, no further access will be permitted.
View the access map for the sections
Enhanced Security and Controlled Access
An anti-terrorism security perimeter (SILT zone) will be active throughout the day and until December 8. Traffic restrictions and checkpoints should be anticipated.
More information is available on the Paris Police Prefecture website.
