Praying at the Cathedral

The whole cathedral is a place of prayer. Its architectural beauty, the warm yellow stone extracted from the Jaumont quarries, the vault boasting a height of 42 metres, making it the third largest cathedral in France after Beauvais and Amiens, its narrow nave and the height of the building compel you to follow the columns and gaze upwards. The architects of the Cathedral invite you to look up to the light that shines through the stained glass windows. Did you know that you are currently standing in the Cathedral with the largest area covered by glass in Europe? Itis almost the equivalent of a vertical football field! You are physically experiencing yourself elevating towards the light, the source of which is the sun, a symbol of the spiritual journey and the mysterious and intimate encounter with God. This experience that frees the senses, the heart and the soul is still possible to have today. Over the centuries, thousands of people have experienced it in this incredible place.

Therefore, the entire cathedral, shaped like a Latin cross, is a place of prayer. The daily liturgical services (Lauds at 8.40 a.m., Mass at 9 a.m. and Terce at 9.30 a.m.), and the popular services, such as the Vespers on 15 August, remind us that prayer is a shared experience and unites people.

The spiritual journey of Canon Robert Fery, which you can find on the totems, is an invitation to wander and fill yourself with the symbols and realities of this sacred place. Experience a walk, a pilgrimage through the Cathedral to progressively enter into prayer.

However, our cathedral also has spaces dedicated to silent, individual prayer.

The Blessed Sacrament Chapel

In the Blessed Sacrament Chapel, I can spend time with the Lord, who is truly present in the Eucharist. The stained glass windows of Jacques Villon inspire me to meditate. The first bay window on the left illustrates the Exodus, Passover and the Paschal Lamb, foreshadowing the Son of God being sacrificed for the salvation of humanity. The second one depicts the Last Supper. Surrounded by his apostles, Jesus instituted the Eucharist, the Bread of Life, for the earthly pilgrimage of his Church. It is also the Last Supper. The third window which is in line with the chapel’s axis is dedicated to the Crucifixion. During each Mass, the holy sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross is brought to life. Mary’s prayerful presence reminds us of the power of hope in the face of darkness of sin and death and the mission of the Standing Mother – Stabat Mater – and the Mother of God in the most hopeless of situations. The Wedding at Cana is depicted in the fourth window. Jesus turns water into wine: he allows us to celebrate lifeuntil the end (John 2:1-11) This symbolises the unbreakable bond between God and humanity. The last window depicts the rock of Horeb, which was struck by Moses to create a spring (Exodus 17:6). The Sacraments are the source of life, from which I receive the Grace of Christ. Through the Sacraments and prayer, God’s Grace purifies me, sanctifies me, renews me, transforms my soul to be beautiful and good and announces my resurrection. Since Good Friday, His Grace is flowing around the world eternally, out from the open side of Jesus on the Cross, through the triumph of love and his resurrected life celebrated at Easter, the triumpth of God and of Man through God.

Notre-Dame de Bon Secours

Many people like to come on pilgrimage, and light a candle at the base of the Notre-Dame de Bon Secours statue. The Virgin dressed in white greets us, just in front of the main entrance. There, in the silence, the prayers of God’s people rise up to Our Lady, Mother of God, Our Lady of Sorrows. We call on her to be our saviour. She has been standing there, for several centuries, listening to all of us, sharing our deepest fears. She comforts us, she pacifies our souls, she offers us her Son, the Prince of Peace. And we leave with our hearts full of hope. In this prayer area, we feel the strength of the faith and hope in the Church around the one who embodies it the most. Mary is her name. Mary is Notre-Dame de Bon-Secours.