On Saturday, Dec. 7, the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., pealed its bells for two minutes at 2 p.m. local time (8 p.m. Paris) 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.
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 more than $500,000 to assist the rebuilding of Notre Dame Cathedral.
In a statement released after the pealing of the bells, National Shrine officials said, “whereas five years ago the Basilica had tolled its bells in mourning, today it pealed its bells in jubilation over the Cathedral of Notre Dame de Paris' triumphant return to glory.”
