Pope: Reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral prophetic sign from the Lord

By Edoardo Giribaldi

“The Church of France is called to recognize a powerful and prophetic sign from the Lord: the reopening to worship of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris,” writes Pope Francis in his message to the French bishops.

In the message transmitted by the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Parolin, the Pope encourages the bishops, gathered for their Plenary Assembly on Tuesday, November 5 in Lourdes, to consider this event, scheduled for December 8, as a significant sign of further five years after the fire which ravaged the Cathedral in April 2019.

One Spirit in Christ

The fraternal message is one of encouragement, trust and closeness. In it, the Pope highlights the need for mutual support within ecclesial communities, noting that political and economic forces sometimes impose values ​​such as greed, selfishness, indifference and exploitation, which , according to him, can distort relations between nations and people.

However, the Pope expresses the hope that relations between the French Church and the African Churches can be inspired by “one spirit in Christ”, reflecting the unity of Christian communities.

“May charity and mutual support between your local Churches not only promote the missionary renewal of your communities but also contribute to building a more just and more fraternal world through their witness,” he said.

Welcoming the gifts of the Spirit “without fear”

Pope Francis also speaks of the need to be open to discussions on the “challenges of evangelization”.

He discusses issues such as the functioning of seminaries, the teaching of religion and the organization of dioceses. Thus, he encourages bishops to draw strength from past experiences and to be ready to welcome the guidance of the Spirit to face current challenges, anticipate transformations and implement reforms.

Strength and pride of the French Church

The message emphasizes an unwavering hope: the theme of the upcoming Jubilee.

For the Church of France, the reopening of Notre-Dame is a prophetic sign, says the Pope: “Like this marvelous restored building”, fortified by faith, proud of its history and committed to its irreplaceable role in the development of nation, may the French Church, he notes, continue to joyfully proclaim the Good News of salvation.

The Love of the Sacred Heart “the key to the future”

Pope Francis also refers to his encyclical on the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Dilexit Nosemphasizing the need to “rediscover or discover” the love of the Sacred Heart, which he describes as “ultimately the only key to the future.”

Quoting the encyclical, he said: “The wounded side of Christ continues to pour out this river which never runs out, which never passes, but which offers itself always and again to all those who want to love like him. Because only his love can give birth to a new humanity.

The French saints, he continues, are recognized for their important role in the development and deepening of this devotion.

A devotion that reflects the love of Jesus

“You, more than others, are called and qualified to benefit from this inheritance,” the Pope said, adding that rather than reviving a devotion often considered outdated, it is important to understand the measure of Jesus’ love for each of us, because the Church in France, its pastors and its faithful, and for the whole world.

The message ends with Pope Francis’ blessing for all the bishops, their collaborators and the faithful of the different dioceses.