It had withstood a war, a revolution, neglect, and the impact of up to 40,000 tourists a day. But there is so much more than stone to the Parisian cathedral damaged by fire this week
I’ve lived in Paris on and off for the past 20 years, and I don’t want to see images of Notre Dame in ruins anymore – no more charred beams and broken glass – because I remember it from a story I did a while back.
It had withstood a war, a revolution and neglect as well as the impact of 30,000-40,000 tourists every day, a handful of whom would climb the nearly 400 stairs to the towers. It’s spectacular.
But Notre Dame is so much more than stone. This is, above all, a living church with a staff and volunteers. There are organists, florists, sacristans, the choir, and a devoted congregation who give it meaning.
Michael Perry, a priest from Brooklyn who used to volunteer at the Cathedral every summer, said, “We have no idea how many people ‘get it.’ Something happens when they come into the church, and they realize it.
