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What Notre-Dame Has Meant to Our Readers What Notre-Dame Has Meant to Our Readers
(about 4 hours later)
Climbing on the roof of Notre-Dame as a child in the 1970s. Listening to carolers outside the cathedral on a cold Christmas Eve. Feeling at peace in the sanctuary or inspired to make art outside it.Climbing on the roof of Notre-Dame as a child in the 1970s. Listening to carolers outside the cathedral on a cold Christmas Eve. Feeling at peace in the sanctuary or inspired to make art outside it.
After the 850-year-old Gothic cathedral’s roof was severely damaged in a fire Monday, we asked our readers to share with us their memories from visits to Notre-Dame and reflections on what the cathedral has meant to them.After the 850-year-old Gothic cathedral’s roof was severely damaged in a fire Monday, we asked our readers to share with us their memories from visits to Notre-Dame and reflections on what the cathedral has meant to them.
Thousands of readers responded to us or posted comments on our site about the fire. Here are some of their responses. They have been edited and condensed for clarity.Thousands of readers responded to us or posted comments on our site about the fire. Here are some of their responses. They have been edited and condensed for clarity.
I have a photograph of myself at age 6 sitting on a park bench outside Notre-Dame, feeding pigeons with — and chattering away to, in English — a French monk who had taken a vow of silence.I have a photograph of myself at age 6 sitting on a park bench outside Notre-Dame, feeding pigeons with — and chattering away to, in English — a French monk who had taken a vow of silence.
It’s a treasured memory of a magnificent place that left a lasting imprint on little me.It’s a treasured memory of a magnificent place that left a lasting imprint on little me.
— Pamela Margid, 50, New York— Pamela Margid, 50, New York
About a year ago, my wife and I and our three children went to Paris for a city trip. “I want to go to Notre-Dame!” my son Emile said. “I want to see Napoleon’s coronation!” So we went to Notre-Dame. Of course we didn’t see Napoleon, but we could see Emile’s eyes shining, feeling the magic of this incredible monument.About a year ago, my wife and I and our three children went to Paris for a city trip. “I want to go to Notre-Dame!” my son Emile said. “I want to see Napoleon’s coronation!” So we went to Notre-Dame. Of course we didn’t see Napoleon, but we could see Emile’s eyes shining, feeling the magic of this incredible monument.
Monday, we didn’t hear Emile when he arrived in the living room, until he started crying in front of the television.Monday, we didn’t hear Emile when he arrived in the living room, until he started crying in front of the television.
— Sebastien de Harlez, 41, Incourt, Belgium— Sebastien de Harlez, 41, Incourt, Belgium
This was a surprise Christmas trip for my sons; Chadrick and Patrick, ages 8 and 15 at the time. On Christmas Day, I drove to the airport with their bags packed. They didn’t have a clue. Once we arrived at the airport, I had gifts giving them clues to our destination. Paris was a dream destination for Chad. Once he figured it out, he was so elated!
This was a surprise Christmas trip for my sons; Chadrick and Patrick, ages 8 and 15 at the time. On Christmas Day, I drove to the airport with their bags packed. They didn’t have a clue. Once we arrived at the airport, I had gifts giving them clues to our destination. Paris was a dream destination for Chad. Once he figured it out, he was so elated!
— Iris Fletcher, 42, Dallas— Iris Fletcher, 42, Dallas
There was a tattered old book among the many novels on a tall bookcase in my grandfather’s study. Placed slightly slanted against a thicker book, I had not noticed it before. Curious, I slid the old book out cautiously, because I didn’t have permission to “borrow” it.There was a tattered old book among the many novels on a tall bookcase in my grandfather’s study. Placed slightly slanted against a thicker book, I had not noticed it before. Curious, I slid the old book out cautiously, because I didn’t have permission to “borrow” it.
How thrilled I was to discover several pages of colorful artist illustrations of a grand cathedral with two tall majestic bell towers reaching high in the Paris sky. Immediately, I was engrossed. I sat quietly on the floor and began reading. The book was Victor Hugo’s, “The Hunchback of Notre-Dame.” I was 6 years old.How thrilled I was to discover several pages of colorful artist illustrations of a grand cathedral with two tall majestic bell towers reaching high in the Paris sky. Immediately, I was engrossed. I sat quietly on the floor and began reading. The book was Victor Hugo’s, “The Hunchback of Notre-Dame.” I was 6 years old.
— Maizie James, 69, North Chesterfield, Va.— Maizie James, 69, North Chesterfield, Va.
Although still a staggering loss, we are so relieved that so much remains standing and untouched by the flames.Although still a staggering loss, we are so relieved that so much remains standing and untouched by the flames.
— Alexandra Moore, 58, Brooktondale, N.Y.— Alexandra Moore, 58, Brooktondale, N.Y.
The heart of France is in Notre-Dame. Everything from the coronation of Napoleon to the memorial service of [former French President Charles] de Gaulle happened within these hallowed walls.The heart of France is in Notre-Dame. Everything from the coronation of Napoleon to the memorial service of [former French President Charles] de Gaulle happened within these hallowed walls.
— Philippe Girard, 42, Lake Charles, La.— Philippe Girard, 42, Lake Charles, La.
Not a building. Not a church. Not a museum. But a priest or a nun who has watched over a city, a people, a nation for over 800 years.Not a building. Not a church. Not a museum. But a priest or a nun who has watched over a city, a people, a nation for over 800 years.
Standing true and listening for moments of joy, sadness or love. Being there for its people through two world wars, millions of weddings and births, countless rulers and tyrants, unthinkable plagues and miraculous events. Always there. Always listening. Always watching.Standing true and listening for moments of joy, sadness or love. Being there for its people through two world wars, millions of weddings and births, countless rulers and tyrants, unthinkable plagues and miraculous events. Always there. Always listening. Always watching.
It stood for so long that it transcended from being cold stone to being a friend, a parent, a grandparent, a great-grandparent. Always proud, always vigil.It stood for so long that it transcended from being cold stone to being a friend, a parent, a grandparent, a great-grandparent. Always proud, always vigil.
— Damon Reiser, 51, Los Angeles— Damon Reiser, 51, Los Angeles
The third time I visited Notre-Dame, I was by myself. I was overworked, overstressed and burned out from a corporate job.The third time I visited Notre-Dame, I was by myself. I was overworked, overstressed and burned out from a corporate job.
I got off the plane and came straight to her. I bowed down with tears and said: “Sorry, I messed up again. Help me.” And she took me in. She walked me around, and let me touch her walls, and smell the air and sit in deep meditation.I got off the plane and came straight to her. I bowed down with tears and said: “Sorry, I messed up again. Help me.” And she took me in. She walked me around, and let me touch her walls, and smell the air and sit in deep meditation.
— Assel Paju, 33, Almaty, Kazakhstan— Assel Paju, 33, Almaty, Kazakhstan
When I visited Paris in 2014, I was decidedly not enamored by it. The trip was a Christmas surprise from my parents to my siblings and me, but I had had a difficult first semester at college and was just not in the mood.When I visited Paris in 2014, I was decidedly not enamored by it. The trip was a Christmas surprise from my parents to my siblings and me, but I had had a difficult first semester at college and was just not in the mood.
However, when I walked into the nave of Notre-Dame, I couldn’t help but feel awestruck. I’m a devout cradle Catholic, so the grandeur of the structure and the lessons depicted within it came down on me like an ingot.However, when I walked into the nave of Notre-Dame, I couldn’t help but feel awestruck. I’m a devout cradle Catholic, so the grandeur of the structure and the lessons depicted within it came down on me like an ingot.
As I took in everything, I sat down at the pews to pray and rest. Gazing upon the altar, I felt — for the first time since I got on the plane — that I was home and that I belonged there.As I took in everything, I sat down at the pews to pray and rest. Gazing upon the altar, I felt — for the first time since I got on the plane — that I was home and that I belonged there.
— Aubrey Kemper, 24, Lincoln, Neb.— Aubrey Kemper, 24, Lincoln, Neb.
In 2016, I painted my first watercolor of the cathedral. I believe that, in time, it will rise from the ashes like a phoenix and return to us.In 2016, I painted my first watercolor of the cathedral. I believe that, in time, it will rise from the ashes like a phoenix and return to us.
— Barbara Michelutti, 62, Dewitt, Mich.— Barbara Michelutti, 62, Dewitt, Mich.
My watercolor of Notre-Dame has survived for 50 years now, a reminder of gargoyles and la vie bohème in the city of light.My watercolor of Notre-Dame has survived for 50 years now, a reminder of gargoyles and la vie bohème in the city of light.
I found a spot on a ledge where I could observe two gargoyles up close with a distant view of Sacré Coeur and Montmartre, where Monet and Renoir painted. Pulling out a children’s pallet of colors that I carried in my backpack, I set to work.I found a spot on a ledge where I could observe two gargoyles up close with a distant view of Sacré Coeur and Montmartre, where Monet and Renoir painted. Pulling out a children’s pallet of colors that I carried in my backpack, I set to work.
— Diane Marie Blinn, 73, Sarasota, Fla.— Diane Marie Blinn, 73, Sarasota, Fla.
My now-husband proposed in front of Notre-Dame. The three different police and military units patrolling the plaza paused for a moment. My wedding ring looks like the rose window.My now-husband proposed in front of Notre-Dame. The three different police and military units patrolling the plaza paused for a moment. My wedding ring looks like the rose window.
— Carthy and Rob Shelton, both 46, Austin, Tex.— Carthy and Rob Shelton, both 46, Austin, Tex.
In the summer of 2015, I arrived in Paris with nothing but a small suitcase, 35 pounds of maps and a profound sense of listlessness. It was my first time in France and I knew no one. I had come to Paris to do research on creative cartography, a project that consisted of aimlessly wandering the streets for two months.In the summer of 2015, I arrived in Paris with nothing but a small suitcase, 35 pounds of maps and a profound sense of listlessness. It was my first time in France and I knew no one. I had come to Paris to do research on creative cartography, a project that consisted of aimlessly wandering the streets for two months.
It was reassuring to see the cathedral steadfastly watching over the city during a time when I had no bearings. Notre-Dame was my anchor for those two months, unwavering as people streamed around it day after day. I found comfort in its indifference to the daily minutiae of its visitors; it had seen millions of people over hundreds of years, all with their own uncertainties, yet it was still there, nearly unchanged.It was reassuring to see the cathedral steadfastly watching over the city during a time when I had no bearings. Notre-Dame was my anchor for those two months, unwavering as people streamed around it day after day. I found comfort in its indifference to the daily minutiae of its visitors; it had seen millions of people over hundreds of years, all with their own uncertainties, yet it was still there, nearly unchanged.
— Hannah Benson, 23, La Chapelle en Vercors, France— Hannah Benson, 23, La Chapelle en Vercors, France
I have never felt closer to God than 30 years ago on a cold Christmas Eve in Paris as I stood outside of Notre-Dame gazing up at its beauty as people around me sang carols.I have never felt closer to God than 30 years ago on a cold Christmas Eve in Paris as I stood outside of Notre-Dame gazing up at its beauty as people around me sang carols.
— Ted Cooper, 76, Bandon, Ore.— Ted Cooper, 76, Bandon, Ore.
As a Mexican-American, I felt blessed and surprised to have found inside Notre-Dame an altar to the Virgin of Guadalupe, who is Mexico’s patron saint!As a Mexican-American, I felt blessed and surprised to have found inside Notre-Dame an altar to the Virgin of Guadalupe, who is Mexico’s patron saint!
In 2003 my family and I went to celebrate the 15th birthday or quinceañera of my oldest daughter, who was blessed by the priest during the Notre-Dame mass.In 2003 my family and I went to celebrate the 15th birthday or quinceañera of my oldest daughter, who was blessed by the priest during the Notre-Dame mass.
— Alejandro Lugo, 56, Las Cruces, N.M.— Alejandro Lugo, 56, Las Cruces, N.M.
In 1995 members of the Oratorio Society of New York sang a mass at Notre-Dame. As one of the singers, I recall an emotional and moving morning. But perhaps more memorable was the afternoon before the mass. We rehearsed at the closed-to-the-public cathedral, and listened to the echoes of centuries of singers and worshipers. Both experiences were unique, and unforgettable.In 1995 members of the Oratorio Society of New York sang a mass at Notre-Dame. As one of the singers, I recall an emotional and moving morning. But perhaps more memorable was the afternoon before the mass. We rehearsed at the closed-to-the-public cathedral, and listened to the echoes of centuries of singers and worshipers. Both experiences were unique, and unforgettable.
— Sheila Donovan, 66, Madrid— Sheila Donovan, 66, Madrid
Medieval Christians believed Moses's burning bush foreshadowed the Virgin Mary: both were not consumed by the fire of God's holiness, but rather sanctified. So too Notre Dame de Paris. By God's grace (and our willingness), she will not be consumed, but rather sanctified by the flames.Medieval Christians believed Moses's burning bush foreshadowed the Virgin Mary: both were not consumed by the fire of God's holiness, but rather sanctified. So too Notre Dame de Paris. By God's grace (and our willingness), she will not be consumed, but rather sanctified by the flames.
— Nancy Ritter, 25, Arlington, Va.— Nancy Ritter, 25, Arlington, Va.
Nicole Phillip contributed research.Nicole Phillip contributed research.
A note to readers who are not subscribers: This article from the Reader Center does not count toward your monthly free article limit.A note to readers who are not subscribers: This article from the Reader Center does not count toward your monthly free article limit.
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