Notre Dame hosts first Mass since reopening after 2019 fire

Notre Dame Cathedralits thick air and the scent of incense, on Sunday, hosted its first Mass since the catastrophic fire of 2019, a moment that transcends religious significance to become a powerful symbol of Paris' resilience.

Under the light of traditional chandeliers and modern lamps, illuminating its intricately carved stones, the cathedral appeared reborn to the faithful, its beauty restored after more than five years of reconstruction.

For Catholics, it marks the renewal of the spiritual heart of the city, a place where the faith has been nurtured for centuries. Around the world, it marks the rebirth of the world's most famous landmarks.

The ceremony was solemn and historic. Archbishop Laurent Ulrich presided over the morning Mass, which included consecrating the new bronze altar.

The service, which was attended by French President Emmanuel Macron, clergy, dignitaries and guests including about 2,500 people, was closed to the public. About 170 bishops from France and around the world took part in this celebration, as well as one priest from each parish of the diocese of Paris and one priest from each of the seven Eastern Catholic churches, accompanied by worshipers from these communities.

Macron, in keeping with France's secular and religious divide, did not partake.

It's a milestone in Notre Dame's journey from ruin to resurrection — a process defined by incredible artistry, nearly $1 billion in global donations and an unwavering determination to rebuild what was seemingly lost.

The 860-year-old cathedral reopened more than five years after a fire destroyed the monument. But a huge effort by dedicated craftsmen to restore the building brought it back from the brink. “60 Minutes” took an early look at the renovations one week before Notre Dame's official reopening and spoke with some of the people who made it possible.

Despite concerns over the fire required to build a cathedral in the Middle Ages, proponents of the restoration say the project sheds new light on traditional construction methods.

“The good thing about Notre Dame is like a school, where we pass on skills from generation to generation,” Philippe Villeneuve, Notre Dame's chief renovation architect, told “60 Minutes.”

Hank Silver, a traditional carpenter who also worked on the restoration, said the project opened new doors for people in his work.

“Maybe it's controversial to say, but in many ways, this fire has been a great gift. Not for me personally, but for young people who wouldn't have known they could find a traditional job as a carpenter, a stone cutter, a builder,” said Silver. “These businesses are in the public eye as well.”

Later on Sunday, the evening Mass will welcome members of the community who received reservations last week. The Associated Press found that tickets for this service were wanted within 25 minutes, underscoring Notre Dame's enduring ability to inspire wonder, devotion, and curiosity.

The most surprising thing is that this is happening in a country that is very religious and has a low level of church attendance.

Public observatories along the Seine on Sunday morning drew hundreds of people who wished to witness the historic moment from afar, although their numbers may have been dampened by the rain and bitterly cold weather.

Retired engineer Claude Lancrenon, watching from an observation deck, expressed surprise and disappointment.

“There's a lot of security,” he said, pointing to the barriers. “Yesterday, that seemed appropriate. But today, I was hoping that it would be more open so that we could get closer to the church. I still hope that we will be able to get closer.”

Tight security – similar to that of the Paris Olympic Games – reflected the importance of the event, ensuring the safety of dignitaries and the public alike as the cathedral re-enters its role as a global symbol of unity and strength.

Nathalie Martino, a retired event planner who visited Paris to see family, recalls the heartbreak of watching the cathedral burn.

“I cried a lot that day,” she said. “Now, I'm here. I had to come. It was something I had to do.”

Sunday Masses followed the re-opening of the Saturday evening festival where Ulrich symbolically opened the great wooden doors of the church by striking them three times with a crosier made of burning beams taken from the fire. As the doors opened, the choirs filled the chapel with song and the great music of the cathedral – silent since the fire – resounded with beautiful songs.

Inside, the renovation revealed a converted cathedral with polished limestone walls that have been cleaned of dirt over the centuries. Restored stained glass windows produce brilliant patterns of color throughout the nave.

“No one alive has ever seen a church like this,” said Rev. Olivier Ribadeau Dumas, pastor of Notre Dame. “It's more than restored – it's reborn.”

Sunday morning's service consecrated the new altar, an important moment in Notre Dame's return to full liturgical life.

The altar contains the relics of five saints imprisoned in Paris, including St. Catherine Labouré and St. Charles de Foucauld, continuing the centuries-old tradition of embedding sacred artefacts in the heart of places of worship. The consecration, which includes holy water, chrism oil, incense and prayer, transforms the altar into the sanctuary of the cathedral.

The reopening of Notre Dame is more than a religious milestone, a moment of cultural and national unity. Macron, who vowed to restore the cathedral within five years of the fire, attended Saturday's events and called the project a “hope of hope” for France, a country often divided by political turmoil.

Sunday Mass emphasizes Notre Dame's dual role as a place of worship and a symbol of community resilience. They also ensure that members of the wider Catholic community can participate in the spiritual renewal of the cathedral.

“This was not just about restoring the building, it was about restoring the heart of the nation,” said Dumas.

The road to recovery is fraught with challenges. Contamination at the front has forced work to a halt, and the COVID-19 pandemic is adding to delays. Yet the project, overseen by architect Philippe Villeneuve, has been hailed as a triumph of human ingenuity and collective determination. State-of-the-art fire protection systems, including thermal cameras and a fog system, have been installed to protect the cathedral's future.

Villeneuve described the effort as “restoring not just the building but the soul of the nation,” emphasizing the personal and national significance of the work.

As Notre Dame once again pierces the Paris skyline, it is poised to reclaim its role as a beacon of faith and art throughout the world. The cathedral, which has welcomed 12 million visitors a year, is expected to attract 15 million to its new chapter.

This monumental revival does not end in one day. Ulrich announced an “octave” of festivities—eight days of special religious services, each with its own theme, lasting until Dec. 15. These daily courses, open to various groups from local believers to international pilgrims, emphasize the role of Notre Dame as a uniting spiritual center.