Notre Dame Cathedral Celebrates Joyous Easter Mass After Devastating Fire

PARIS — Notre Dame Cathedral reopened its doors for a heartfelt Easter Mass on April 19, 2025, marking a significant moment for worshippers and tourists alike. This emotional ceremony follows extensive repairs after the devastating fire that plagued the historic church just days before Easter in 2019. The Mass was centered around the revered Christian relic, the Crown of Thorns.

Rev. Olivier Ribadeau Dumas, rector of Notre Dame, reported that the attendance for this Easter celebration far surpassed expectations. “Before the fire, we saw about 20,000 pilgrims a day,” he said. “Now it’s closer to 30,000. The joy people feel rediscovering the cathedral — you can see it on their faces as they leave.”

Among the attendees was 63-year-old Paris native Marylène Portet, who shared memories of attending Easter Mass at Notre Dame since her childhood. “It’s not only the cathedral that’s been rebuilt,” she remarked. “It feels like a link that was missing for so long has been restored too.”

Visitors traveled from near and far to witness the momentous occasion. Marianna Janik, 34, from Poland, stated that they planned their trip specifically for this event. “We simply could not miss this,” she said, expressing deep feelings of loss and hope after their previous visit ten years ago. “So coming back now to worship Jesus Christ in a cathedral that rose from the ashes – it’s even more powerful.”

The Mass was celebrated by Fr. Guillaume Normand, the cathedral’s deputy rector, who captivated the congregation with his voice and bilingual welcome. His homily emphasized the core message of the Resurrection, reflecting, “What hope, what power of life is at work in Christ’s Resurrection. Behold, the master of life cannot be kept prisoner inside a tomb.”

Many attendees connected their spiritual journeys to the events surrounding the fire and the subsequent restoration of the cathedral. Inès, a 21-year-old who experienced a spiritual awakening while watching the fire’s aftermath in 2019, shared her story, highlighting how the tragedy prompted her to seek baptism during the recent Easter Vigil. She expressed, “If I didn’t do it now, I never would.”

Fr. Normand announced during the Mass that Notre Dame had welcomed new members into the Catholic faith through baptism, reinforcing the spirit of hope associated with this Easter celebration. His words resonated with the congregants, propelling them forward in their faith journeys.

As the joyful Mass concluded, the sound of the organ echoed through the newly restored cathedral, symbolizing the resilience of Notre Dame and its enduring significance to the community. The event not only celebrated the holy occasion of Easter but also served as a reminder of the strength and recovery of a beloved landmark.

The atmosphere within the cathedral was filled with a sense of renewal and connection, as visitors reflected on their personal experiences and the shared history of Notre Dame. As worshippers left the cathedral, the expressions of joy and gratitude painted a picture of hope restored amidst the trials faced over the past six years.