Notre-Dame to celebrate first Mass since April fire

PARIS (AP) — The Notre Dame cathedral is holding its first Mass since the April fire that ravaged the edifice's roof and caused its masterpiece spire to collapse.

Saturday's mass at the Gothic building will be celebrated by Paris archbishop Michel Aupetit amid reduced attendance. For security reasons, only about 30 people — mainly priests, canons and church employees — will be admitted inside the cathedral. Aupetit will be wearing a construction worker's helmet in addition to his miter.

Worshippers won't be authorized in the cathedral but can watch the Mass on a Catholic TV station that is broadcasting the service. Aupetit has also invited some of the workers hired to rebuild the church.

French President Emmanuel Macron has set a goal of rebuilding the cathedral in just five years, which some experts consider impossible to reach. </s> This post was originally published on this site

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ABC News(PARIS) — The Notre Dame Cathedral is opening its doors to worshipers on Saturday, marking the first time since a devastating fire tore through its halls in April.

The Archdiocese of Paris announced that a mass will be held “on a very small scale” on Saturday with a “restricted” number of people in a “side chapel,” according to Agence France-Presse.

Paris Archbishop Michel Aupetit will deliver the mass, which will be televised live, on June 15, the agency reported.

The date signifies an anniversary of sorts for the cathedral: the consecration of the church’s altar is normally celebrated annually on June 16.

On April 15, a blaze that took hours to extinguish tore through the 850-year-old building in the heart of France’s capital.

The fire was ignited during an evening mass at the start of Holy Week, the busiest and most important period of the liturgical year.

Millions mourned the extent of the destruction in the landmark of Gothic architecture, but miraculously, much of the relics and structure of the cathedral survived, including its famous rose windows.

On the evening of the blaze, rescuers were intent on saving the relics inside — including what Catholics believe is the crown of thorns that Jesus wore during the Passion — as well as Notre Dame’s great organ and its 8,000 pipes, along with the building itself.

Retired French Gen. Jean-Louis Georgelin was chosen by French President Emmanuel Macron to lead the cathedral’s restoration.

“Nothing is impossible to a French general,” Georgelin told ABC News’ David Muir in an exclusive interview, saying that he agrees with Macron that Notre Dame could reopen within five years. But, he said, “When there’s a will, there’s a way.” </s> PARIS – A small Mass will be celebrated at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris Saturday evening — the first since a fire destroyed the structure’s spire, parts of the roof and vault in April.

Access to the event will be extremely limited due to safety concerns, with just 20 to 30 people expected to attend, the Archdiocese of Paris said.

As of June 12, the Notre Dame Foundation had received donations of 15.7 million euros ($17.7 million), and donors have pledged an additional 377 million euros ($425 million).

Most of these funds are to be used to restore the cathedral, although some will be used to receive pilgrims, repair damaged goods and organize religious music at the site, according to the archdiocese.

The Mass will be led by Michel Aupetit, the archbishop of Paris, who said in a statement, “May all those who have mobilized since April 15 and all those who continue to work every day for Notre Dame, be they donors, architects, construction workers, political leaders, be warmly thanked for their efforts.” </s> Notre Dame Cathedral on Saturday held its first mass since a devastating fire tore through the building two months ago on April 15.

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Only a small group of about 30 people attended the mass, including the church’s clergy, worshipers, media and construction workers. The mass was also transmitted live on a French Catholic TV station, and dozens of other Catholics attended the service from outside the cathedral, watching on their phones.

The small group convened in a chapel behind the large gold-covered cross that was miraculously found intact after the fire, which destroyed the building’s roof, causing its iconic spire to collapse. For safety reasons, those attending the mass were asked to wear hard hats inside the church.

Karine Perret/POOL/EPA via Shutterstock

Paris archbishop Michel Aupetit led the service. He has pushed for the reconstruction of Notre-Dame since the fire and wanted to hold the mass as a way to keep the energy around the monument’s recovery alive.

French Minister of Culture Franck Riester that only 9% of the $955 million in donations that had been promised to Notre Dame’s reconstruction had actually been received, according to Agence France-Press. He said some donors were waiting to send their donations because they wanted clear plans for how their money would be spent.

The mass was held a day before an annual celebration of the consecration of the church’s altar, known as the feast of the Dedication of Our Lady, and Aupetit prayed to the statue of the Virgin Mary, saying that he was thankful to be there.

Zakaria Abdelkafi/AFP/Getty Images

“It was extraordinary,” he said, “to be able to celebrate again, even in this wounded cathedral. I was ordained bishop in this cathedral.”

Aupetit called it “a little weird” praying with hard hats on and said that he took it off during the consecration because “come on.”

He hopes he’ll be able to hold mass again soon, though. “As soon as I’m given the authorization again, I will go again, because I used to go all the time,” he said.

Zakaria Abdelkafi/AFP/Getty Images

The church site is still being investigated by the French police. Investigators have now seized 100 samples from the crime scene to undergo laboratory examinations. However, they fear that a lot of the samples won’t be useful.

Investigators believe that the fire started because of a short-circuit around the electrified bells in the spire. They also believe that there had been a human error in locating the fire, and that a security guard inspected the wrong sector of the church.

As the investigation continues, the church’s reconstruction will remain on hold until the it is fully cleared of rubble. Yet still, with this mass, the clergy around Notre Dame demonstrates that it’s eager to start a regular church life again. </s> Paris's Notre-Dame to celebrate first mass after fire

The Notre-Dame cathedral in Paris will host its first mass on Saturday, exactly two months after the devastating blaze that shocked France and the world.For safety reasons, the mass led by Archbishop of Paris Michel Aupetit will be celebrated on a very small scale. Worshippers will be expected to don hard hats but priests will be wearing their ceremonial garb. There will be just some 30 people -- half of them clergy -- although the mass will be broadcast live on Catholic TV channel KTO. It will take place at 6:00 pm (1600 GMT) in the Chapel of the Virgin on the east side of the cathedral behind the choir, which has been confirmed to be safe.

SEE ALSO :'Paris is disfigured': Tears and shock as Notre-Dame burns

Aupetit will be joined by the rector of Notre-Dame, Patrick Chauvet, canons, volunteers, people working on the restoration as well a handful of lay worshippers. The date has been chosen as it is the anniversary of the consecration of the cathedral's altar, which is celebrated every year on June 16. The date is "highly significant, spiritually," Chauvet told AFP, adding he was happy to be able to show that "Notre-Dame is truly alive".President Emmanuel Macron has set an ambitious target of five years for restoring Notre-Dame, which was gutted by a fire on April 15 that felled its steeple and consumed the lattice of beams supporting the roof.

SEE ALSO :Firefighters race to save Notre-Dame Cathedral

The diocese is awaiting a response from the French authorities over whether it can re-open the esplanade in front of the cathedral to the public. If the authorities approve the plan, the idea is to celebrate evening prayers there, the diocese said. The church has also floated the idea of erecting a temporary structure in front of the cathedral to welcome worshippers while the building is repaired. Up to 150 workers have been working at the cathedral daily since the fire, continuing to remove debris and stabilise the structure. Two large white canopies have been placed above the nave and the choir to ensure the edifice is protected, including from the rain.

SEE ALSO :Macron vows to rebuild Notre-Dame Cathedral

Macron's call for an "inventive" rather than identical reconstruction of the steeple has left some architects up in arms. Meanwhile, legislation over the reconstruction has been blocked in parliament over disagreements between the upper and lower houses and is now only expected to be adopted at the end of July. Pledges of some 850 million euros ($960 million) had been made from prominent French businessmen and ordinary citizens but only around 10 percent has been donated so far. France Info public radio said just 80 million euros had been paid, with businessmen giving the money in tranches and some private individuals renouncing their pledges due to the apparent success of the campaign.

Register to advertise your products & services on our classifieds website Digger.co.ke and enjoy one month subscription free of charge and 3 free ads on the Standard newspaper. </s> The New York Post is reporting that a New Jersey man was arrested Wednesday night after walking into St. Patrick’s Cathedral with two gasoline cans, according to law enforcement sources.

The Post, citing sources, said the man “entered the Midtown church and was near the pews when he was spotted and grabbed by security.”

The incident comes just two days after the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris erupted in flames causing serious damage to the 700 year old cathedral.

It’s reported that an “emotionally disturbed” man carrying two canisters filled with gasoline was arrested by the New York Police Department.

“We are investigating an incident at St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Expect a heavy police presence. Update to follow.”

This is Holy Week and St Patrick’s Cathedral grieved over the fire at Notre-Dame.

“The bells of St. Patrick’s rang at 12:50 PM today, marking the start of yesterday’s devastating fire at Notre-Dame cathedral in Paris. Cathedrals and churches throughout #France and the world rang their bells in honor of the great spiritual & cultural heritage of Notre-Dame.”

Holy Week services at St. Patrick’s Cathedral on Fifth Avenue in Midtown Manhattan draw thousands. Indeed, a lottery was held for tickets to attend the Easter Solemn Mass.

Holy Thursday services at St. Patrick’s, including a 12 noon mass and a Mass of the Lord’s Supper at 5:30 p.m.

The cornerstone of St. Patrick’s Cathedral was laid in 1858 and its doors opened in 1879. </s> The Notre Dame cathedral in Paris hosted its first mass on Saturday exactly two months after a devastating blaze, with priests and worshippers wearing hard hats to protect themselves against possible falling debris.

Dressed in a white robe and helmet, Archbishop of Paris Michel Aupetit led the service, which was attended by just some 30 people - half of them clergy.

WATCH: From futuristic to crazy - here are some ideas for Notre Dame's new look

"The fire, which ravaged the building on April 15, has provoked a wave of emotion, not only for the community of believers," Archbishop Aupetit said in his sermon, broadcast live

"This cathedral is a place of worship, that's its true and unique purpose."

The mass started at 16:00 GMT in the Chapel of the Virgin on the east side of the cathedral, confirmed to be safe.

Protective nets have been strung above the nave and choir and rubble still strews the floor but the pews have remained intact.

Aupetit was joined by the rector of Notre-Dame, Patrick Chauvet, other clergy, volunteers, people working on the restoration as well a handful of lay worshippers.

The date was chosen as it is the anniversary of the consecration of the cathedral's altar, which is celebrated every year on June 16.

The date is "highly significant, spiritually," Chauvet had told AFP ahead of the service, adding he was happy to be able to show that "Notre-Dame is truly alive".

President Emmanuel Macron has set an ambitious target of five years for restoring Notre-Dame, which was gutted by a fire on April 15 that felled its steeple and consumed the lattice of beams supporting the roof.

The diocese is awaiting a response from the French authorities over whether it can re-open the esplanade in front of the cathedral to the public.

If the authorities approve the plan, the idea is to celebrate evening prayers there, the diocese said.

The church has also floated the idea of erecting a temporary structure in front of the cathedral to welcome worshippers while the building is being repaired.

Up to 150 workers have been working at the cathedral daily since the fire, continuing to remove debris and stabilise the structure.

Two large white canopies have been put in place to ensure the edifice is protected, including from rain.

Macron's call for an "inventive" rather than identical reconstruction of the steeple has left some architects up in arms.

Meanwhile, legislation over the reconstruction has been blocked in parliament over disagreements between the upper and lower houses and is now only expected to be adopted at the end of July.

Pledges of some $960m had been made from prominent French businessmen and ordinary citizens but only around 10% of that has been donated so far.

France Info public radio said just 80 million euros had been handed over, with businessmen giving the money in tranches and some private individuals renouncing their pledges due to the apparent success of the campaign.

Notre-Dame has figured as a central character through the ups and downs of French history since construction began in mid-12th century.

During the French Revolution in the 18th century, it was vandalised and plundered but went on to feature as a central character in a Victor Hugo's novel "The Hunchback of Notre-Dame" (1831) which is credited with helping save it.

It survived the devastation of two global conflicts in the 20th century and famously rang its bells on August 24, 1944, the day of the Liberation of Paris from German occupation at the end of the World War II.

KEEP UPDATED on the latest news by subscribing to our FREE newsletter. </s> After the devastating fire in April, Notre Dame Cathedral stopped holding services for months out of safety concerns, but on June 15, Paris Archbishop Michel Aupetit performed the Mass wearing a hardhat as the building is still “in a fragile state.”

Town & Country reports that the Mass was limited to 30 people including priests, canons, and other religious representatives, all of whom had to wear protective headgear as the vault has not yet been secured.

Archbishop Aupetit shared a statement to thank everyone who had contributed to the reconstruction efforts.

But a Notre Dame press official says that the big European donors who pledged millions immediately after the fire, like French billionaires like François-Henri Pinault and Bernard Arnault, haven’t paid. “Not a cent.”

The New York Times reports that the solemn first Mass which was restricted in size due to security concerns was televised via video on a Catholic channel on YouTube. The Mass was held in the Chapel of the Virgin, and as the camera pans around, viewers can see the charred timbers caused by the fire.

While the edifice of the cathedral is still being shored up, approximately 150 people are now working on site to refurbish the building.

The Mass on June 15 was held on this day which is significant because it marked the consecration of Notre Dame’s altar, typically celebrated every year. The cathedral continues to be closed to the public, but this annual celebration was important, says Monsignor Aupetit.

“The cathedral was born of the faith of our ancestors,” Monsignor Aupetit said in his service. “It was born of Christian hope.”

Just after the fire, French President Emmanuel Macron pledged to rebuild Notre Dame within five years, but that plan has been criticized.

But there has been a bright side following the fire, says The Inquisitr, as parts of the cathedral were preserved, including the beehives (from which honey was collected) which were situated on the roof of the building near the spires which collapsed. Following the fire, experts feared that even if the housing was still in place, that it was likely that the bees were killed by the heat and the smoke.

But drones flew over, piloted by urban beekeeping company, Beeopic, and shared that everything was still intact. </s> Hundreds of people have gathered near Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris for another prayer vigil.

A crowd carrying candles and singing religious songs marched from the Church of Saint-Sulpice and grew on the way to a Left Bank plaza that faces Notre Dame.

The Saint-Suplice church, built in the 17th century and important to French Catholicism, caught on fire last month but had nowhere near as much damage as the older cathedral.

At the plaza by Notre Dame on Tuesday night, vigil participants sat around a statue of the Virgin Mary while listening to a small string orchestra and doing more singing.

Organizers said in a statement they want to show their attachment to Notre Dame.
The Notre Dame Cathedral holds its first mass since the April 15 fire.