Notre Dame de Paris
  • davido
    Posts: 958
    There are always things lacking in our world, and many have noted what was lacking in Paris on Dec 7.
    But what did I see this afternoon from Paris?

    I saw the Mother of God honored, her temple in the far off land of the Franks rebuilt by the Republic that once stole it from the Church at the point of the sword. In this present time, could the Church have financed rebuilding it? How inscrutable are the designs of providence.

    I heard the song of the Jewish girl of Nazareth sung in the language of the Roman church to the Royal Tone, melody of kings, as it has been sung in that place for four hundred years. ‘Exultavit humiles’

    I heard the legendary song of Ambrose and Augustine broadcast to the world, ‘We praise thee, O God… O Lord, save thy people, and bless thine heritage.’

    I saw the ‘kings’ of the earth gather as tribute was paid to Our Lady, the noblest creature of our race.

    I saw beauty exalted and light and goodness praised.

    Notre Dame de Paris is a symbol of light in a world of darkness, and I hope it’s reopening today gladdens all our hearts and strengthens all men of goodwill as we strive to imitate Our Lady.
    Thanked by 14CHGiffen Jehan_Boutte jberardi kevinf Liam ServiamScores CharlesW LauraKaz DavidOLGC Charles_Weaver Andrew_Malton Roborgelmeister cmb StimsonInRehab
  • Jehan_Boutte
    Posts: 268
    Very well said. As a French, I couldn't agree more, even though the ugliness of the vestments is disappointing.
    Thanked by 4CHGiffen ServiamScores tomjaw francis
  • Marc Cerisier
    Posts: 542
    It’s so nice to see a commentator focusing on the good.
    Thanked by 3Liam CHGiffen ServiamScores
  • ServiamScores
    Posts: 2,912
    Well said. When they started the Totus Tuus I cried. Gave me chills. The te deum was a delight too.

    I confess I was irked when the France24 commentators described President Macron as the “‘owner’ (as it were) going to visit his property”. I had to sigh; the world ransomed the cathedral back for 800 million dollars. But Davido is right: it is a stunning thing to think that the same republic that once defiled the temple led the charge to see it restored. May our Lady have mercy upon France for it too.
    Thanked by 2CHGiffen StimsonInRehab
  • MatthewRoth
    Posts: 2,367
    Yeah. I am happy.

    @Jehan_Boutte you may know this already but my parish uses, for the reposition of the Sanctissimum on major feasts, ps. 116 sent to the ton royal. I added the rhythmic signs to the square notes to match the usual rhythms.

    @ServiamSquares yes. The Totus Tuus was marvelous and is the best of the JPII Catholicism still beloved in France.
    Thanked by 2CHGiffen StimsonInRehab
  • ronkrisman
    Posts: 1,396
    i loved the music, the organ improvs, the archbishop's chanting, the single announcer of the general intercessions, and, yes, the colorful vestments.
    Thanked by 2CHGiffen CharlesW
  • trentonjconn
    Posts: 633
    Did my ears deceive me, or did I hear spoken collects with sung conclusion/amen on a few occasions? Is this normative in some places? Not intended as a negative question, just found it curious.
  • MatthewRoth
    Posts: 2,367
    This is rather typically French; I've unfortunately run into it myself. I've never encountered it in the US, where it's all sung or it's all recited.
    Thanked by 1Liam
  • kevinfkevinf
    Posts: 1,199
    I confess I was irked when the France24 commentators described President Macron as the “‘owner’ (as it were) going to visit his property”.


    Americans don't understand this but yes the "state" is the owner of the churches built before 1906. You need to know French history.

    Many wonderful things happened as it has been pointed out. La Maitrise did a magnificent job with all the singing. I know they worked really hard but also are glad to be back in their space. St. Germain will be happy to have their space returned to normal also.

    Looking forward to visting ND this summer.
    Thanked by 2cmb WGS
  • ServiamScores
    Posts: 2,912
    Americans don't understand this but yes the "state" is the owner of the churches built before 1906. You need to know French history.
    No, I don't. I lived in France for a time. (Paris, specifically.)

    My point is that it was a gross injustice that the apostate state stole all the Church's property. So yes, on paper, the french govt. does own the church, but my point was that it should not be so, and if anything, the 800 mil in donations from around the world which paid to rebuild it from ruin, ransomed the cathedral back on behalf of all catholics.
    Thanked by 2trentonjconn irishtenor
  • ServiamScores
    Posts: 2,912
    Although, as one silver lining, there are certainly churches that would be in *complete* ruin had the state not been obliged to maintain their upkeep. So it's not strictly all bad. But there are also lots of things that the state neglects, too, which is why there are all of the "l'association des amis de l'orgue" (local associations of "friends of the organ") in various locales, because if they don't raise money, the organs are left to rot, because the state wont fix them.
    Thanked by 1irishtenor
  • LarsLars
    Posts: 128
    The organ of Notre-Dame resonates in the cathedral, for the first time since the 2019 fire

    https://youtu.be/CLLFxQhWmeY
  • MatthewRoth
    Posts: 2,367
    It’s a gross injustice but it’s reality, which people are gonna have to accept.

    Also, the organ is contentious because it’s an object of worship; yeah, this is in conflict with the treasury of the cathedrals and even parish sacristy inventories having been seized in 1905. But in any case, if you think that it’s bad now, then imagine what it would be like without state intervention. The ICRSP has been displaced in several apostolates as they need a new roof or other repairs. The high altar of the church in Lille where they are assigned was repaired. It took a while, but it’s fixed. And so on.
  • kevinfkevinf
    Posts: 1,199
    because if they don't raise money, the organs are left to rot, because the state wont fix them.


    Because France is basically broke. The state was better at one time but now its really bad. They are dealing with many of the same problems that the US is/will deal with. Personally, I am thankful for all the money given to repair Notre Dame or repair the organ in Reims or even my wife's little town church organ of Halluin in the north. They do what they need to do. And the state does what it can. The present cathedral of Bordeaux is struggling to raise money to repair the organ becuase the state cannot do so. It did not help that NDdeP was getting a lot of money.
  • cmb
    Posts: 88
    If the French Senate hadn't mandated that the cathedral be restored to its former specifications, we would have gotten some modernist architectural monstrosity along the lines of the altar, ambo and cathedra (which the Archdiocese of Paris was in charge of).

    On another note, has anyone seen a PDF of the program booklets for services?
  • davido
    Posts: 958
    I didn’t see anyone holding a program
  • Kathy
    Posts: 5,513
    I saw Prince William holding a Magnificat. I'm guessing they published a special edition program.
  • Felicia
    Posts: 117
    Does anyone know who composed the setting of the Litany of Saints?
  • Marc Cerisier
    Posts: 542
    At the moment, the programs are available on Magnificat's site:

    https://francais.magnificat.net/

    I don't know how long they'll stay there.
    Thanked by 1CHGiffen
  • Liam
    Posts: 5,116
    PDFs of the reopening Vespers and inaugural Mass

    12_07_Reouverture.pdf
    290K
    12_08_Messe.pdf
    515K
    Thanked by 3CHGiffen LauraKaz cmb
  • Marc Cerisier
    Posts: 542
    Does anyone know who composed the setting of the Litany of Saints?


    The setting is by J.M. Dieuaide, and can be found both legally to purchase, and otherwise on Google.

    This is a reputable source:
    https://www.chantonseneglise.fr/chant/28816/Litanies-des-saints
    Thanked by 2CHGiffen Felicia
  • francis
    Posts: 10,848
    and, yes, the colorful vestments.
    really… truly?
  • Jehan_Boutte
    Posts: 268
    @MatthewRoth
    you may know this already but my parish uses, for the reposition of the Sanctissimum on major feasts, ps. 116 sent to the ton royal. I added the rhythmic signs to the square notes to match the usual rhythms.

    I didn't know that, it sounds like a great idea. What is your parish by the way?

    This is rather typically French; I've unfortunately run into it myself. I've never encountered it in the US, where it's all sung or it's all recited.

    Sadly, this is true. Even traditional-minded priests sometimes do this on Ferias. I've even heard priests singing the collect in French, and then continuing: "Per Dominum nostrum...".
  • MatthewRoth
    Posts: 2,367
    Assumption, Nashville TN.
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