the statue of the Virgin and Child makes its return during an exceptional procession this Friday

The statue of the Virgin and Child returns to Notre-Dame this Friday, November 15, less than a month before the reopening of the cathedral. The work became a true symbol after the fire of 2019.

Now less than a month before the expected reopening of Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral, the Virgin and Child will resume its symbolic place within the building this Friday, November 15.

His return will be marked by a large procession at 6 p.m. From the church of Saint-Germain l'Auxerrois, where it is kept, the procession will take the statue to the square in front of Notre-Dame. Opposite the cathedral, a torchlight vigil led by the “Pierres Vivantes” association will be held.

Since November 7, a replica of the statue has also passed through parishes, sanctuaries and hospitals in the French capital.

“found among the rubble”

This iconic statue, sculpted at the beginning of the 14th century, represents the Virgin Mary holding the Child Jesus. Culminating at almost two meters, the stone statue is a true miracle of the devastating fire that struck Notre-Dame in 2019. It was, for five years, preserved in the Saint-Germain l'Auxerrois church, in the waiting for the reopening of the cathedral.

The Virgin and Child has become a true symbol, “because she was found in the middle of the rubble,” explained Father Stéphane Paul-Benz to our colleagues at RCF Radio. “There was a pile of stones and wood at her feet but she remained standing. In Christian tradition, the Virgin who remains standing is the “Stabat Mater”. It’s the Virgin standing at the foot of the cross, it’s a sign of hope.”

Originally, the statue was in the Saint-Aignan chapel, behind the Notre-Dame cathedral, which was not accessible to the public.

In addition to the Virgin and Child, also called the Virgin of the Pillar, the great organ of the cathedral had been found, as had the large carpet of the choir which had not suffered either from the flames or from the spilled water by the firefighters.

The statues of the spire with the twelve apostles, paintings and the Pietà by the sculptor Nicolas Costou had also been saved.

An inaugural mass will take place on December 8 to mark the reopening of Notre-Dame, in the presence of President Emmanuel Macron. Entrance will be free from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.