Paris's Notre-Dame to celebrate first mass after fire

TOPSHOT-FRANCE-NOTREDAME-FIRE-FEATURE This aerial picture taken on June 12, 2019 in the French capital Paris shows the Notre Dame de Paris cathedral under repair after it was badly damaged by a huge fire on April 15 | AFP

Two months after the devastating fire that shocked France and the world, Notre-Dame cathedral will host its first mass on Saturday, June 16. The mass led by Archbishop of Paris, Michel Aupetit will be a small scale affair. Worshippers will be expected to don hard hats for the mass. The mass, which will be attended by 30 people, will be broadcast live on Catholic TV channel, KTO.

Others expected to be present at the mass are the rector of Notre-Dame, Patrick Chauvet, canons, volunteers, people working on the restoration and a handful of worshippers. The mass, which is being held to commemorate the anniversary of the consecration of the cathedral's altar, will take place at 6 pm in the Chapel of the Virgin on the east side of the cathedral behind the choir. The day is commemorated on June 16th every year. The diocese is awaiting a response from the French authorities over whether it can re-open the esplanade in front of the cathedral to the public.

Pledges of some 850 million euros had been made from prominent French businessmen and ordinary citizens but only around 10 per cent has been donated so far, to help rebuild the church after the disastrous fire. City authorities continue to clean the cathedral square and surrounding areas after they found high levels of lead that melted in the extreme heat of the fire on the ground. Lead is deemed to be an environmental hazard and a high-grade pollutant.