The religious building is 700 years old and marks the birth of the city of Boulogne-Billancourt. This honorary title of basilica was decided by Pope Francis last June. A mass was held this Sunday to celebrate the event.
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It was enough to see all these people to understand that this mass was extraordinary. For the occasion, some parishioners followed the event from the outside. Stop talking about it as a church. Notre-Dame de Boulogne becomes the 176th basilica in France. A minor basilica.
“It’s a Marian sanctuary. So it will allow us to better feel the presence of Mary”welcomes a parishioner. “It gives it more visibility. We already love it as it is. At the same time, we are very happy that it will become a basilica”declares a faithful.
It is a consecration for this 15th century building recognized by the Vatican for its devotion and its architectural heritage. THE choir dates from the 14th centurye century. It is classified as a historic monument. In the transept of the basilica, there is a statue of Notre-Dame de Boulogne.
The one who was until then parish priest becomes rector and expects great benefits with this elevation. “We are going to welcome many more groups, there are these major pilgrimages to Jerusalem, to Rome, to Santiago de Compostela. There are also, and perhaps less well known, local pilgrimages”explains Father Roger Villegas, rector of Notre-Dame de Boulogne.
Coincidentally, restoration work has just begun: replacement of stones, repair of the spire and even revision of the heating system. 12 and a half million euros have been committed in part by the City to finance this work.
“The church is one of the architectural jewels of the town, so maintaining the heritage for a mayor is one of the absolutely necessary actions“, comments Pierre-Christophe Baguet, LR mayor of Boulogne-Billancourt. This work should last four years. The basilica relies on the know-how of workers working on the Notre-Dame de Paris construction site.
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