Communion in the midst of such simplicity.

Notre Dame of Paris

It took me nearly 69 years to discover Paris, but I finally did it, and what a find it was!  A true treasure in its midst is Notre Dame Cathedral.  Dating back to 1163, being completed in 1345, it has been a dominant presence in Christendom for 860 years.    

So a highlight in Paris was to spend three hours in Notre Dame, on the Sunday afternoon.  I was there for an organ recital, Vespers and mass.  In the midst of this unique opportunity, I found myself sitting there in this grand cathedral of Europe, of the western church, just taking in its sense of history and culture.  This church now restored to its former glory, following the tragic fire of 2019, shone in all its glory, like a sparkling new building.  What an experience!  

Beyond all the grandeur of this great church of Christendom, what I found was that spending three hours there was a simple time of prayer and worship.  It was a time when I felt a sense of communion with the divine.  That was the great gift of Notre Dame to me. 

This was so because, beyond all its grandeur, Notre Dame has a simplicity about it that allows one just to be in its presence and take in the divine.  This was more than visiting a church.  It was an experience of the divine, that I have seldom enjoyed in my life.  This is the true treasure of Notre Dame for me.  .  .   

A sanctuary so simple