Even though a pilgrimage peak is some months away, the shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes celebrated its wintery feast day Feb. 11 with a number of pilgrims who flocked to the French holy site on the anniversary of the first apparition of the Blessed Virgin to St. Bernadette Soubirous in 1858.
France’s Catholic prime minister wants to fight ‘end of life’ bill by splitting measure
French Prime Minister François Bayrou wants to split an “end of life” bill to separate the issue of “active assistance in dying” from that of palliative care — a proposal seen as a smart attempt to give a pro-life approach to the legislation without antagonizing rival political sides.
French bishops officially request state prosecutors to investigate case of Abbé Pierre
The president of French bishops’ conference has officially requested that prosecutors open an investigation into the case of Abbé Pierre, following new sexual assault allegations against the once iconic priest and advocate of the poor.
Paris has a new minor basilica — Notre Dame de Boulogne
After Notre Dame Cathedral’s splendid reopening, the attention of Paris Catholics turned to the nearby Church of Notre Dame de Boulogne Jan. 12 as it was solemnly elevated to the rank of minor basilica, following a decree from Pope Francis, signed June 29.
Notre Dame’s first concert a ‘moment of grace’ for young composer of Marianchoral piece
With places fully booked at Paris’ iconic cathedral for months ahead, Notre Dame is not only back to its former glory but also to its full concert schedule.
Jesus’ crown of thorns returns to Notre Dame Cathedral
Firefighters and police officers formed a human chain to rescue the crown of thorns from the inferno at Notre Dame on April 15, 2019. On Dec. 13, 2024, this holiest relic of Paris’ cathedral was returned to its proper home on the Île de la Cité.
Lourdes confirms 71st miracle — the first for an English speaker; miracle occurred in 1926
The list of miracles that have taken place at the French Marian shrine in Lourdes now includes, for the first time, an English-speaking soldier-patient.
With inaugural Mass, Notre Dame reveals ‘the Lord does not abandon his own’
Chilling rain and the “City of Lights” completely locked down due to high profile guests did not stop the crowds from arriving as close to Notre Dame Cathedral as possible for its inaugural Mass celebrated Dec. 8.
‘Long live Notre Dame de Paris!’ Jubilation as iconic Catholic cathedral reopens
The solemn reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral put Paris in the center of the Catholic world on the evening of Dec. 7 as the archbishop of France’s capital struck the magnificent door with his pastoral staff, marking the moment of the iconic Catholic church’s rebirth.
Reopening of Notre Dame is victory day for firefighters who saved it from the inferno
As the whole world awaits the reopening of Notre Dame, for those present inside the cathedral for the “grand réouverture,” it will be even more of a special moment.
Notre Dame shines bright as French president visits days before the ‘grande réouverture’
The world was left stunned when the first images of the rebuilt Notre Dame were published and spread with viral speed as President Emmanuel Macron walked through the bright, unrecognizably beautiful Parisian cathedral on Nov. 29, a week ahead of the Dec. 7-8 official reopening.
Former Femen activist apologizes for desecrating Notre Dame in 2013 protest against church, pope
A decade ago, Marguerite Stern entered Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, screaming and topless, to demonstrate her hatred of the church and the pope. In a gesture of repentance, she has now apologized to Catholics for her actions.