Lenten Campaign 2025
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Today Notre Dame opens its doors for the first Easter Mass since the cathedral's destructive fire in 2019. And at such a joyous time, a lot of detail has been spent on what the clergy will be wearing for all the Masses being celebrated today.
Students from the Catholic professional high school, Lycée Albert de Mun in Paris, have put their talents to designing the liturgical vestments for the day.
With a son at the school I was invited to the first Easter Mass at Notre Dame to see the vestments in use. Having already reported on the vestments the famous designer Jean-Charles de Castelbajac created for the Cathedral's opening Mass, I was curious to see what a group of young, inexperienced adults could create for such a historical occasion.
Before entering the cathedral I chatted with two of the students, Ilona, a 20-year-old studying graphic design, and Marianne, who at 19 is studying cinema, to hear about their contribution to the project.
The young women shared how the project started three years ago. Different students from various professional disciplines within the school united to come up with various designs for Easter.
Marianne and Ilona explained that their own designs were inspired by both the Virgin Mary and the United Hearts. After the final designs were decided on, they were sent to Les Brodeuses de Fil d'Or -- specialist, and rare, seamstresses in France who use their precision and talent to create incredible works of art -- to bring their designs to life.
And today, their work is on show for all to see:
The gold-threaded graphic design on the vestment beautifully captures the burst of joy that comes with the Easter message that Christ has risen!
The back of the vestments continues with the joyous theme of the occasion.
You might notice that the singular color used in this design is more refined and simple than the bold colors chosen for the opening Mass. And in its simplicity, it reflects the golden moment that is the Resurrection.
As one fellow worshiper shared:
"The design is not only refined and meticulous, the gold shines out for all to see. Even the congregation at the back of the cathedral will be able to see that glimmer of joy in the Easter story."
It is a wonderful initiative to bring together young faithful for such a momentous moment in the history of Notre Dame. While bringing their talents to the fore, the younger generation is beautifully represented in the Church. Our congratulations to Marianne and Ilona, and their fellow classmates at Albert de Mun, in creating vestments truly worthy of such a grand occasion!
