TORONTO – I happened to pass by a TV just as a majestic display of order and harmony appeared on the screen. Two musicians, displaying their art and creativity with a violin and viola setting the mood in the restored Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris. The music, the setting and the attention by the audience was mesmerizing. 

The Choir, a selected group of young and old, male and female vocalists was enchanting as it ushered in a procession of prelates and parishioners-standard-bearers for churches in the Parisian diocese. Marvellous show.

Imagine, I thought to myself, in today’s world (Canada in particular, where advocates of counter-culture, secularist, woke ideology seem bent on burning churches and effacing the social-cultural achievements of a religion-based society) would one have borne witness to such a superlative demonstration of altruistic-coming-together of so many divergent and diverse people to celebrate the reopening of the 860-year-old Catholic church, after five years of dedicated construction.

Cost estimates vary. According to the New York Times, it took about 250 companies, 2,000 (skilled) workers, about $1.5 billion CDN million, a tight deadline and an immeasurable national pride to complete the renaissance of France’s iconic contribution to the creative genius of a people and the religious fervour that guided its growth and development.

There must have been restrictions on televisions, yet, as the operative cameras scanned the crowd, they picked out some recognizable international notables, such as US President-elect Donald Trump, Italian President Sergio Mattarella (also Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni was present at the inauguration), Britain’s Prince Philip and Ukraine President Volodymir Zelensky. I dd not immediately recognise others. The event was deferential with a message that was a deft in its balance of the religious- historical import and a crowing of political-national identity.

French President Macron held “centre stage”, physically and metaphorically – reciting some of the monarchs and emperors whose European importance and ambitions allowed them to expend fortunes on the art and artifacts which had been a part of the legacy of Notre Dame prior to it falling victim to destructive flames five years ago.

The Archbishop of Paris his Grace Laurent Ulrich was impeccably proper in maintaining his obligations as leader of the religious faithful which he invited a return to the community of same. The Pope, involved in “elevation” of archbishops to the Cardinalate, sent his message via the Papal Nuncio (Ambassador) Celestino Migliori. In it, he highlighted the international sorrow felt by world as it witnessed the destruction of a masterpiece of Christian faith and architecture and testimony of French history.

As well, the Papal message praised the work of firefighters who risked their lives to preserve the structure and personal acts of bravery contributed to the unwavering commitment of public authorities and to the extraordinary international generosity that fueled the cathedral’s restoration.

A special feature of the event, before the celebration of the liturgy, was the blessing of the Cathedral’s organ – a musical instrument composed of 8,000 pipes and masterfully played to fill every nook in the church with an awe-inspiring invocation design to make the faithful and others feel as if they were a part of an experience that goes beyond words.

BOTH THE PICS ON THIS ARTICLE ARE FROM THE WEBSITE OF THE DIOCESE OF PARIS: https://dioceseparis.fr/