Notre Dame's Cloaks of Many Colours

 

I continue to read any article about the astonishing restoration of Notre Dame Cathedral that crosses my path. Having visited Notre Dame several times over 50 years the massive church  fascinates me 

The extensive fire of five years ago nearly caused the 900-year-old cathedral to collapse, yet in the end most of what is essential to the structure was saved. The work is nearing completion and beginning December 7th there will be six-month period of celebratory masses. The building will open to the public, by ticket, on December 8th. The bells were rung earlier this month in anticipation and a bold new set of vestments has been created for the celebrants. Here is an excerpt from a Globe and Mail article about these vestments:

When Jean-Charles de Castelbajac watched as Notre Dame cathedral burned in April 2019, he felt compelled to act somehow. Returning home, the French fashion designer began sketching ideas, imagining the monument’s reconstruction.

So, when the Paris Archbishop’s emissary approached him to design the liturgical garments for the cathedral’s reopening next month, Castelbajac – a believer with personal roots with the church – felt the moment transcended mere coincidence. 

“It’s bigger than a job. It’s a bit mysterious … mysterious,” Castelbajac said, his eyes brimming with wonder as he previewed some of the 2,000 colourful pieces for 700 celebrants at his Paris home. “It’s a calling. To be called like that is synchronicity.”

When I was ordained in 1980, a mere lad of 25,  it was usual practice for United Church clergy to gown up on Sunday mornings. Before I headed away to my settlement charge in Newfoundland I acquired a cream-coloured alb, a deep blue Church of Scotland gown, and a grey cassock, all gifts from my home congregation and my mother. This was much more varied than my father's stern black gown. Over time I added a varied set of stoles for the seasons of the liturgical year, some of them quite striking. By the time I retired I wore this garb far less often and some UCC ministers don't wear gowns or robes at all. I really liked the artistic variety but times change. I never wore a Hawiain shirt, the quasi-liturgical "robe" of some evangelical pastors. 

I know that there was some debate over whether to modernize Notre Dame in some aspects with the ultimate decision to restore meticulously to the original design, even to reconstructing roof trusses nicknamed the forest from oaks felled across France. These vestments are a bold statement about the present and future of worship in this historic place. Of course, some will despise them because they are so bold and far from traditional. I'm impressed by this decision and look forward to seeing the photos from those opening worship experiences.