Lenten Campaign 2025
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Arriving outside the restored Notre Dame Cathedral, the first thing to hit me was the really impressive crowds waiting patiently to enter the doors and celebrate the fact that Christ has risen. I couldn't help but wonder how all the faithful would manage to fit into the cathedral.
Yet, as the doors opened there was hope that everybody would squeeze in -- that same feeling of hope so central to the message of Easter, and of course, the Jubilee Year.
I must admit it was my first visit to Notre Dame since its fire and I had anticipated the symphony of senses I'd be greeted with as I went through its enormous doors. I wasn't disappointed.
Although the usual odors so familiar with churches of incense and polished wood were masked by the smell of fresh plaster and paint, there were the heartwarming sounds of the organ and people working their way to their chairs. And then there were the visuals -- so many sights to take in that you don't know where to begin. (And apologies for the photos, I'm certainly not a photographer!)
From the enormity of the exquisitely restored vaulted roof embracing the faithful despite our numbers, to the religious relics and statues that seem to glow with even greater intensity since thousands of artisans lent their talent to the restoration efforts. And then looking to the carved choir stands, dust is already starting to settle, and the cathedral seems to be settling back into its history.
It's a lot to take in. Yet as the organ started to play the traditional Easter hymn O filii et filiae to welcome the faithful, the focus was purely on the message of Easter.
The Mass was celebrated by Notre Dame's deputy rector Fr. Guillaume Normand -- who is conveniently blessed with a lovely singing voice that resonated throughout the Cathedral, and an ability to welcome the faithful in both his native French and English.
While the Mass continued with the usual Paschal readings and the Gospel from St. John, the priest's rousing homily invited us to consider the fundamental message of the Resurrection:
What hope, what power of life is at work in Christ's Resurrection. Behold, the master of life cannot be kept prisoner inside a tomb. While we all know how one day our internal life can plunge us into darkness and anguish, now the doors to life are open! Today life is communicated, today hope is ignited!"
This same message was reinforced with Fr. Normand's announcement that Notre Dame had welcomed eight adults and four adolescents to the Catholic family in the sacrament of baptism the previous night.
We wish all our readers and families a very Blessed Easter, full of hope for what is to come!
