Five years after a devastating fire, the 19th-century Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris celebrated its grand opening on Dec. 7 in a ceremony that — in commemorating the resurrection of the historic site — centered around joy.
“Notre Dame, model of faith. Open your doors to bring us together in joy, the disbursed children of God,” said Archbishop of Paris Laurent Ulrich, as he ceremonially knocked on the cathedral doors during the inaugural service.
With approximately 1,500 guests, 50 world leaders and celebrities present, the reopening highlighted the global significance of the 850-year-old structure.
Dignitaries included French President Emmanuel Macron, U.S. first lady Jill Biden, President-elect Donald J. Trump, William, the Prince of Wales, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky; and there to add to the celebration was a group that originated in Hampton Roads, Virginia, lending their powerful sounds of happiness and “joy” to the occasion.
While flames burned the old structure, celebrated musical artist Pharrell Williams and Voices of Fire ignited a new, vibrant energy in the restored building. Performing a rendition of the songs “Happy” (2013) and “Joy” (2021) during the inaugural service, Voices of Fire was a critical feature in marking the cathedral’s resurrection.
Voices of Fire, a 70-member gospel choir led by the Grammy-winning artist’s uncle, Bishop Ezekiel Williams, offered an uplifting gospel performance to the worldwide stage.
After his appearance, Pharrell wrote on Instagram, “An honor to perform at the opening with [Voices of Fire.” “A historic performance we’re so blessed to have been a part of.”
Social media users also weighed in on the moment.
“That’s not even a bucket list item, that’s etching your name into history,” one person wrote.
Business accounts such as the French brand Evian, also commented on the artist’s post saying: “Such an unforgettable experience. Your passion and creativity never fail to inspire us.”
Notre Dame in 2019, Rising From the Fire
Once known as the “eldest daughter of the church,” recent statistics reveal only 25% of French people call themselves Catholic, according to a 2023 Aletia report.
While the number of French Catholics has tremendously dropped—especially in comparison to statistics from 1872-1960 when 97% of the population was Catholic— Notre Dame stood as a symbol that reached beyond religious practices. Before the fire on April 15, 2019, the cathedral served as a beautiful beacon of hope.
As one Parisian told OSV News on that historic evening, “A thing of beauty was being destroyed – and it wasn’t required to be religious, or even Catholic, to mourn its possible extinction.”
Before the fire, pollution, rain, and time had weakened the cathedral’s basic structure.
In response, an ambitious campaign to raise $135 million was launched. However, the scope of that campaign changed when the fire broke out under the cathedral’s roof eaves.
Another social media watching the raging fire could only reflect, “Paris without Notre Dame…. Madness.”
The fire raged for 15 hours, with over 400 firefighters battling it. In addition to the firefighters, approximately 100 government workers, police, and municipal workers formed a human chain to move valuable church artifacts to safety.
One year later, on April 15, 2020, officials determined the fire to have been started by either a cigarette or a short circuit in the electrical system.
Experts estimated that the heat in the cathedral’s crossing reached as high as 2200 degrees Fahrenheit – hot enough to melt metal.
According to NBC News, restoration cost over $700 million. Nearly $900 million was raised from 340,000 donors in more than 150 countries, most of whom donated in the first few days after the fire.
Within days of the fire, President Emmanuel Macron vowed the repairs could be accomplished in five years, and with support of people around the world, he met his deadline.
“We must treasure this lesson of fragility, humility, and will,” he said during the reopening ceremony.
More Electrifying Moments Celebrating Notre Dame’s Return
As music from the cathedral’s 8,000 great pipe organ and prayer returned for the first time since April 2019, numerous performers wowed those in attendance, during the commemorative event.
After Archbishop Ulrich rapped on the cathedral’s great doors at the ceremony’s commencement, the choir inside sang, “Here is the Home of God among Men.”
Inside the cathedral, South African opera singer Pretty Yende provided a gorgeous rendition of “Amazing Grace,” joining a line-up that included French singer-songwriter Vianney and tenor Benjamin Bernheim, along with conductor Gustavo Dudamel and the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France.
In addition, Grammy winner Angelique Kidjo performed a special rendition of her song “Jerusalema.”
Posting a link to the new version on X, Kidjoe wrote, “it was an honor to be part of this ceremony and to share such a beautiful message of hope and peace.”