PARIS (OSV News): For the first time since its reopening in December 2024, Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris marked the feast of the Assumption with a solemn outdoor procession on August 15.
As many as 3,400 faithful filled the streets of the Île de la Cité, honouring the Virgin Mary in a tradition interrupted for five years by the cathedral’s post-fire restoration.
Until 2016, a popular river procession, with boats, took place on the River Seine. In 2017, it was replaced by a walking procession in the cathedral district.
In the Jubilee Year, tourist visits inside the cathedral were suspended at midday on August 14. At the beginning of the evening, Father Olivier Ribadeau Dumas, rector of the cathedral, presided over a procession inside the cathedral, with the faithful carrying candles.
It included a veneration of the crown of thorns and an exit onto the cathedral square. There the rector solemnly read the text known as the “vow of Louis XIII,” by which the king of France officially consecrated the country to the Virgin Mary in 1638.
For the first time since its reopening in December 2024, Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris marked the feast of the Assumption with a solemn outdoor procession on August 15.
As many as 3,400 faithful filled the streets of the Île de la Cité, honouring the Virgin Mary in a tradition interrupted for five years by the cathedral’s post-fire restoration
This historic text is the origin of the numerous processions in honour of Mary that take place in France during the vigil or on August 15, which is a very popular French holiday. On 10 February 1638, King Louis XIII signed this legislative text, previously submitted to the Parliament. He invited the French people to pray for France, especially on the feast of the Assumption and to participate in solemn processions in all parishes.
Louis XIII had also promised to erect a new high altar at Notre Dame. It was built 50 years later, during the reign of his son, Louis XIV—the Sun King. The large white marble Pietà that stands there today was added in the 18th century, with a statue of Louis XIII offering his royal crown to Mary, and another of Louis XIV.
Auxiliary Bishop Emmanuel Tois of Paris led the outdoor procession through the streets of Île de la Cité on August 15, before celebrating a solemn Mass inside the cathedral.
“Today, nothing in France resembles the era of Louis XIII,” Bishop Tois explained. “But the Church continues to ask for the intercession of the Virgin Mary for our country, where very diverse people now live. We pray for the intentions of each and every one of you, and for unity among all its inhabitants.”
Bishop Tois noted, “Twenty years ago, these kinds of processions did not generate as much enthusiasm, except in a few iconic locations such as Notre Dame, where the river procession was always very popular.”
… the Church continues to ask for the intercession of the Virgin Mary for our country, where very diverse people now live. We pray for the intentions of each and every one of you, and for unity among all its inhabitants
Auxiliary Bishop Emmanuel Tois of Paris
He added, “In contrast, in recent years, we have seen a resurgence of popular piety in France. More and more people are attending this kind of religious event.”
The bishop said, “This cathedral is truly a place that brings people together,” adding, “It struck me, during the celebration of the reopening of Notre Dame on December 8, that no one questioned the presence of the president of the republic in the front row, even though French politicians are concerned about maintaining strict religious neutrality” to the point, he said, that “some had protested against Emmanuel Macron’s presence during Pope Francis’ visit in Marseille, in 2023.”
Bishop Tois noted, “The feast of the Assumption is particularly joyful for us this year. The influx of catechumens, who come from extremely diverse backgrounds, is astonishing in France at the moment. We did not anticipate this at all. It is up to us, priests and laypeople, to listen to what God wants to tell us through this phenomenon that surprises us all.”
Some Christians find it difficult to pray during Mass because there are so many people. But we must welcome everyone who enters
Bishop Tois
In this context, coordinating liturgical life and welcoming visitors to Notre Dame is a major challenge for the cathedral where the seven million visitor mark since the reopening was surpassed in early August.
“The flow is continuous,” Bishop Tois confirmed. “Some Christians find it difficult to pray during Mass because there are so many people. But we must welcome everyone who enters, whatever their state of mind. We specially pray for those who are not believers, that this visit may be an opportunity for them to encounter God.”
On the occasion of the feast of the Assumption, the bishops of France published the text of a special prayer for France, continuing the tradition started by Louis XIII. They specifically invited the faithful to pray for the senators, who will be examining a bill on “aid in dying” in the coming months, which has already been approved by French deputies.
“Let us pray that in our country, now in demographic decline, the life to come will be welcomed and respected and that future parents will be supported and encouraged for the good and future of all society,” the text said.
