The heart of Paris will beat anew this August as Notre-Dame Cathedral hosts its first major religious celebration since the devastating fire of 2019. Marking a deeply symbolic return, the Cathedral will celebrate the Feast of the Assumption on August 14 and 15, 2025, restoring a centuries-old tradition to one of the world’s most beloved sacred spaces.
This two-day event carries both spiritual and historical significance. Since the 17th century, France has commemorated the vow of Louis XIII, who consecrated the nation to the Virgin Mary in 1638. In keeping with that legacy, the Feast of the Assumption is not just a liturgical celebration, but a national one — a reminder of France’s deep-rooted Marian devotion.
The program begins on Thursday, August 14, with reduced tours and access to the Cathedral as it opens its doors to the faithful. The evening is filled with solemn vespers, mass, and the Jubilee procession — a sacred moment inside the Cathedral that includes the ostension of the Crown of Thorns, one of Notre-Dame’s most revered relics. The evening concludes with the proclamation of the Gospel, a reminder of the enduring vow made by the French monarchy nearly four centuries ago.
Friday, August 15, the official day of the Assumption, begins early with morning masses and Lauds. The highlight of the day is the grand city procession, which begins at 3:45 pm from the Cathedral’s forecourt, led by Mgr Emmanuel Tois, Auxiliary Bishop of Paris. Carrying the Virgin and Child of Charles X, the procession moves through the streets of Paris, inviting the faithful and the curious alike to witness a public expression of devotion rarely seen since the Cathedral’s closure.
The day concludes with solemn vespers and a final mass, again presided over by Mgr Tois, capping a moment of immense spiritual and cultural renewal for France.
As Notre-Dame once again becomes a living space of prayer, music, and community, the 2025 Feast of the Assumption stands not only as a celebration of faith but as a testimony to resilience, heritage, and hope reborn.
Discover more from Allycaral
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
