A firefighter tells: glimmer of hope in the burning emergency lady

A firefighter tells: glimmer of hope in the burning emergency lady

Paris, Frankreich - On April 15, 2019, there was a devastating fire in the Cathedral of Notre-Dame in Paris, which left deep traces. For a fireman, anonymous as a "Matthieu", this tragic moment was not just a race against the flames, but a spiritual rebirth. In the middle of the chaos he saw the radiant cross sculpture on the altar, which for him became the symbolism of hope. He reported to the French magazine Family Chretienne that this sight was deeply moved and apparently gave it to God. The sculpture, a wooden cross of Marc Couturier covered with gold leaf, survived the extreme temperatures of the fire almost undamaged and made Matthieu feel an inner peace that he hadn't known for a long time.

The scenes at the fire town were moving: people knelt in front of the cathedral and sang. Matthieu, once a creditor Christian, had lost his faith during his career as a firefighter because the suffering he experienced often made him doubt. However, the fire in the cathedral was a kind of liberation for him. "After experiencing that, I was another person," he said. His return to faith manifested himself in a more intense spiritual life: "I go back to the fair, often several times a week, and pray regularly," says Matthieu. His change also has an impact on his family, who also started to turn to faith.

rescue of the relics

In the fight against the fire, Matthieu and his colleagues were not only focused on saving the building, but also tirelessly in recovering valuable liturgical treasures. Among the saved objects were the crown of thorns and the nails of Christ's crucifixion. Despite the dangers associated with this rescue operation, Matthieu felt protected and in a kind of 'grace'. His experiences not only seem to have restored his faith, but also to see his task as a fireman in a new light. "I try to live with an open heart and listen to the people," he concluded his report, as in the Documentation The teachings from that night to today shape Matthieu and strengthen his faith in everyday life.