My Dear Community,
We collectively mourn this week over the burning of the “Heart of Paris”
One news account said:
No deaths were reported, but two police officers and a firefighter were injured as 12th-century landmark, Notre Dame Cathedral burned. The blaze erupted around 6:50 p.m. Paris time Monday, luckily after it had closed to the public. The destruction came during Holy Week, six days before Easter.
Pope Francis said Tuesday that he shared the sadness of the French people mourning the devastation.
“I associate myself with your sadness, as well as that of the faithful of your diocese, the inhabitants of Paris and all the French,” Francis said in a message to the archbishop of Paris, Michel Aupetit.
A plan to safeguard the masterpieces and relics was quickly put into action after the fire broke out.
The Crown of Thorns, regarded as Notre Dame’s most sacred relic, was among the treasures quickly transported after the fire broke out, authorities said. Brought to Paris by King Louis IX in the 13th century, it is purported to have been pressed onto Christ’s head during the crucifixion.
The cathedral’s famous 18th-century organ that boasts more than 8,000 pipes also survived. Some of the paintings and other artworks are being dehumidified, protected and eventually restored at the Louvre.
From Celebration to Destruction
It is not lost on me that this disaster occurred during Holy Week. How quickly life can shift from a Palm Sunday celebratory procession to destruction.
The people of Paris wisely mourn night after night. They hold candlelight vigils, sing hymns, and offer prayers.
Then they act from love. In less than 48 hours 1-billion dollars has been pledged for restoration.
From mourning to action
The French people are an inspiration. They recognized the importance of collective grieving. Then they moved quickly to action.
Let us remember to take time to mourn and then get up from our dark night to act.
Women Grieving Children
If you’re a woman who’s mourning a beloved child, please join us. You are welcome no matter how your child has died: miscarriage, stillbirth, suicide, illness, or accident. It doesn’t matter how recent or how long ago it happened.
Let’s recognize their absence from your life:
Please pre-register at:
Love All around, above, below, to the left and to the right, before you, and behind you,
Georgena