Notre Dame's majestic golden rooster, a symbol of hope post-fire

The restoration of Paris’ Notre Dame Cathedral reached a significant milestone with the installation of a golden rooster atop its spire, following the 2019 fire. The new rooster, designed by Philippe Villeneuve, replaces the original and symbolizes vigilance and resurrection. It will contain sacred relics, emphasizing its religious significance and the names of nearly 2,000 donors, recognizing the community’s role in the restoration. Paris Archbishop Laurent Ulrich will bless it.

French President Emmanuel Macron plans to invite Pope Francis to the reopening to highlight Notre Dame’s cultural and historical importance.

The rooster’s installation, inspired by 19th-century designs, represents hope and the cathedral’s enduring legacy.

Religion News Service reports:

The rooster, a French emblem of vigilance and Christ’s resurrection, will house sacred relics inside it. These include fragments of Christ’s Crown of Thorns and remains of St. Denis and St. Genevieve, infusing the sculpture with religious importance. The Crown of Thorns, regarded as Notre Dame’s most sacred relic, was among the treasures quickly removed after the fire broke out. Brought to Paris by King Louis IX in the 13th century, it is purported to have been pressed onto Christ’s head during the crucifixion.

Before ascending to its perch, the rooster will be blessed by Paris Archbishop Laurent Ulrich. A sealed tube within the sculpture will list the names of nearly 2,000 individuals who contributed to the cathedral’s reconstruction, underscoring the collective effort behind the works.

French President Emmanuel Macron, who last week visited the site to mark a one-year countdown to its re-opening, announced that the original rooster will be displayed in a new museum at the Hôtel-Dieu. This move, along with plans to invite Pope Francis for the cathedral’s reopening next year, highlights Notre Dame’s significance in French history and culture.

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