Vigil for Archbishop André Vingt-Trois at Notre-Dame Cathedral de Paris
On 22 and 23 July, Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris welcomed the faithful who came to pay their last respects to Cardinal André Vingt-Trois, Archbishop Emeritus of Paris, who passed away on 18 July.
On Tuesday afternoon, his body was transferred to the cathedral, offering all those who wished to do so the opportunity to pay their respects. This vigil, deeply rooted in Christian tradition, was a time of silence and prayer. It allowed the faithful to enter into the mystery of mourning, to honour the deceased, and to hope in the promised resurrection. The sprinkling of holy water on the body, recalling his baptism, symbolised this hope : that of following Christ through death to eternal life.
Throughout the afternoon, prayer punctuated the vigil for Cardinal André Vingt-Trois’ body at the cathedral, through the rosary and services. A spiritual vigil closed the day with psalms, hymns, and readings from his writings.
Funeral of the Archbishop Emeritus at the Cathedral
The following day, the cardinal’s funeral was celebrated in the cathedral. The coffin was carried in procession by priests from the diocese to the altar, where several symbolic rites marked the beginning of the celebration:
- The rite of light, a sign of the Resurrection,
- The presentation of liturgical vestments (the alb, stole, mitre and pallium), recalling the different stages and meanings of his priestly and episcopal life.
The Mass continued according to the usual liturgy, punctuated by a homily delivered by the archbishop, the universal prayer, and the Eucharistic liturgy. At the end of the celebration, a final farewell was given to the cardinal. This solemn moment consisted of a prayer entrusting the deceased to God’s love, followed by the incensing of the body and then the sprinkling of holy water by the bishops present, the family and the archbishop.
Cardinal André Vingt-Trois was buried in the archbishops’ vault, beneath the choir of the cathedral. As the coffin was lowered, a final prayer reminded those present that, for believers, the tomb has become a sign of hope since the Resurrection of Christ.
