The Notre Dame fire burns a hole in our hearts, yet cannot consume our faith
Aleteia |
| Anadolu Agency |
PARIS — There are very few words to sum up the emotions of Catholics and non-Catholics alike as we watch the fire sweeping through the rooftops of Notre Dame. Crowds gather in silence to stare in disbelief, in prayer, and perhaps with a glimmer of hope that the firefighters can get control of the fire before it destroys one of France’s greatest treasures any further.
The cathedral that stands so prominently along the banks of the River Seine is not only the symbol of Paris but a refuge for its citizens, offering Masses and support through major events, including the terrorist attacks in 2015. And now as we see its famous spire falling, there are tears in the eyes of many of those gathered — regardless of their faith.
The shock of the blaze runs so deep perhaps because we’ve taken this imposing cathedral for granted for so long. An 856-year-old monument is collapsing before our eyes, incredibly at a time that major restoration work had only just started. A solid structure that seemed to replicate the strength of the many French Catholics, a cathedral that survived bombings, floods, and terrorist plots over centuries has now succumbed to a fire, which may have started accidentally due to the present renovation project.
