Veneration of the Crown of Thorns during Lent

Aline Haddad

Friday, March 14, 2025

Facade of Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral against a dark blue sky and surrounded by trees and other buildings.

iStock photo.

In Paris, religious buildings are among the many tourist attractions that visitors consider seeing during their stay. But when you're a devotee of the Catholic religion, churches become essential pilgrimage destinations that every Catholic must make when visiting this city.

Tens of millions of pilgrims visit the churches of Paris every year and attend services. I planned my pilgrimage, like many others making the journey, first to the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Montmartre Cathedral, where I attended Mass on Ash Wednesday. I then went to Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral for the veneration of the Holy Cross and the First Friday of Lent procession.

I feel deeply privileged and blessed to have had the opportunity to make this pilgrimage, especially the visit to Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris for the veneration of the Holy Crown of Thorns. After a long time waiting with thousands of worshippers; I was finally able to enter this iconic place, recently opened after years of restoration following the devastating fire of 2019.

On April 15, 2019, a major fire ravaged Notre-Dame, destroying the spire and much of the roof. Thanks to the heroic efforts of the firefighters and international mobilization, many treasures including the Holy Crown of Thorns, were saved. After five years of painstaking work, the Cathedral reopened its doors on December 7, 2024, symbolizing resilience and faith. Salt + Light Media broadcast the reopening ceremonies live (in French), enabling those who could not be present to share in this historic moment.

The Holy Crown of Thorns, venerated by Christians as having been worn by Jesus Christ during his Passion, is one of the Cathedral's many precious relics of the Passion. Another is a nail believed to have fixed Jesus to the Cross. After being preserved during the construction work, the Crown of Thorns was reintroduced to Notre-Dame for public veneration. Since January 10, 2025, the Crown has been on display every Friday, and will continue until Good Friday, April 18, and then on the first Friday of each month..

Faced with the massive influx of online bookings, it was difficult to reserve a slot for the visit. However, by going directly to the site and waiting in line with thousands of other people, I was able to gain access to the Cathedral.

In this place steeped in history and spirituality, this moment of contemplation before the Holy Crown will remain engraved in my memory. My visit to Notre-Dame during the veneration of the Holy Crown of Thorns was a deeply moving experience, not only for me; but for all those present, who had tears in their eyes by the end of the veneration. This pilgrimage reinforces my faith and my attachment to Our Lord Jesus Christ: I wholeheartedly encourage anyone visiting Paris during this Lenten season to make the most of it.

For more information on the veneration of the Holy Cross and to book your visit, see the Notre-Dame de Paris website.