Basilica to Peal its Bells in Celebration of the Reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris
Saturday, December 7, 2024, at 2 p.m.
On Saturday, December 7, the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., will peal its bells at 2 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CET (Paris Time) in celebration of and coinciding with the Rite of Opening the Doors of the Cathedral of Notre Dame de Paris, whose doors have been closed since the devastating fire of April 15, 2019.
With the support of Archbishop Timothy Broglio, President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception has invited U.S. dioceses to join the celebration by ringing cathedral and shrine bells across the nation.
On the day of the tragic fire in 2019, the Basilica responded immediately with prayerful support, appealing to the Blessed Virgin Mary for her intercession, while tolling its bells 50 times at midnight, Paris Time, to mourn the tragedy as well as to mark the beginning of a new day of hope and resurrection.
That evening, the Basilica also launched a special online collection to support restoration efforts, which, through the generosity of the faithful, raised over half a million dollars to assist the rebuilding of Notre Dame Cathedral.
Whereas five years ago the Basilica had tolled its bells in mourning, it will now peal its bells this Saturday in jubilation over the Cathedral of Notre Dame de Paris’ triumphant return to glory.
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ABOUT THE BASILICA
The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception is the largest Roman Catholic church in North America, and it is among the ten largest churches in the world. Dedicated to the patroness of the United States, the Blessed Virgin Mary under her title of the Immaculate Conception, the Basilica is the nation’s preeminent Marian shrine and patronal church and has been designated a national sanctuary of prayer and pilgrimage. Among those who have visited the National Shrine during its 100-year history are Pope Francis, Pope Benedict XVI, Saint Pope John Paul II, and Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta.