Today is August 15 and, for the catholics, it's the Assumption of Mary, the mother of Jesus. France has strong Catholic roots (about 2/3 of the population say they are Catholics even though about 60% of them do not actually practice - see this very detailed data about the French Catholics if you're interested), so I was sure that if I went around Notre Dame Cathedral I would get a few photo opportunities! And I did! Hence this procession leaving the inside of Notre Dame for the embankment on to a "boat pilgrimage". It was really moving to see the crowd singing and praying.
I served a lot of years as an altar boy growing up in France and this picture brings back a lot of memories. I miss that life. Here in the US, we don’t get to witness much processional celebration of religious holidays. Thank you for reminding me of Assumption of the blessed Mary Holy Day being August 15.
ReplyDeleteI wish one day will come when we won't need any religion to live our lives.
ReplyDeleteafter 12 years of Catholic schooling the processions are ingrained in my memories....it is also my grandson's first birthday! He was born at the American Hospital in Paris.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting. I imagine there were quite a few photo opportunities for you today, Eric. :)
ReplyDeleteAs Stefan said, I hope that someday we don't need to live with religion, but I do hope that someday we all live with a personal relationship with God.
Oh! Far-flung from Mary, I have something to offer, Eric.
ReplyDeleteWill you be interested to hear some operatic arias and duets on 19 September, Theatre des Champes-Elysees.
Let me know, ok?
@Eric,
ReplyDelete...with compliments from Keats + Crew.
It was really a wonderful event to participate in... The Virgin Mary looked very beautiful as she passed us by! Thanks for letting me know about this Eric.. was great to join in.
ReplyDeleteI think the photo's really cool Eric. It looks like either Mary was in a hurry rushing by everyone, or everybody else was rushing by.
ReplyDeleteEight years of processions, high Mass, strict teachings and Mass in latin and I still love to watch processions. This photo is magnificent! :)
ReplyDelete(Regarding your Olympics photo) I saw on the news today a nice story about Teddy Riner returning to Pointe Pitre as a hero. I found
ReplyDeletethis video which gives you a good idea of how nice it was for him.
@Pickled Parrot "Here in the US, we don’t get to witness much processional celebration of religious holiday"
ReplyDeleteReligion in the US is a bit puzzling for us Europeans... Here it's pretty simple; you're Catholic, Protestant, Jewish or Muslim (plus a few other ones, that we don't hear a lot about). In the US, you have all sorts of obediences that are almost totally unknown to us. Not to mention the Church signs that are totally impossible here.
@Stefan "I wish one day will come when we won't need any religion to live our lives." I don't think it's really possible. Even having no religion is already a religion!
@Anne "it is also my grandson's first birthday! He was born at the American Hospital in Paris." Well happy birthday to your grand son then (no procession needed for that ;-))
@Christie "[...]but I do hope that someday we all live with a personal relationship with God." Huh, that's a tough one!
@Keats "Will you be interested to hear some operatic arias and duets on 19 September, Theatre des Champes-Elysees." I'm ALWAYS interested in listening to opera! What is this about?
@Roniece "Thanks for letting me know about this Eric.. was great to join in." You're welcome, I knew you would.
@Michael " It looks like either Mary was in a hurry rushing by everyone, or everybody else was rushing by." Mary was pretty still actually, it was definitely the people around her ;-))
@Kristie "[... Mass in latin" Wow! When and where was that ?
@Michael (2) "Teddy Riner returning to Gaudaloupe". How is that for a change of subject?! But yes, you're right, Teddy is the local hero over there.
Excellente photo, Éric, je devrais visiter ton blog plus souvent !
ReplyDeleteI'd say that this is a very moving photo, Eric—but you might think I was making a pun! Seriously, great shot.
ReplyDeleteSomeday, I hope to be in Paris during a Holy Day so that I too can be witness to the events taking place at Notre Dame - would especially like to see the Procession of the Virgin Mary - thanks for posting - wonderful photo!
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