The three relics attributed to Jesus, safe at Notre Dame

The entire structure of the "Grande Dame" of Paris was a work of art in itself: its Gothic style, its magnificent rosettes, its gargoyles, its imposing organ as well as its paintings and sculptures. However, for the Catholics of the world, the three relics of Christ as part of their treasure were of particular interest, especially during Holy Week: the crown of thorns, one of the nails with which he was crucified and a small piece of the cross of Calvary.

And that, although the relics of the saints are very precious, those of Jesus Christ are the most important of Christianity because they are the instruments of his pbadion. The "good news" in all this tragedy is that relics and most works of art are safe (ironically, April 15 was also World Art Day); even the famous sculptures of the 12 apostles of the facade and gargoyles, the latter having been removed from the structure of the cathedral last week as part of the ongoing restoration process.

The tunic of King Saint Louis IX was also part of the treasure and was out of danger. He was the last European monarch to lead the crusade to recover Jerusalem, managing to save several religious treasures from the Holy Land in the 13th century.

The crown of thorns pbaded through several hands to reach the French monarchy. Louis IX built the Sainte-Chapelle in the 13th century as a place of veneration of the relic (a few meters from Notre-Dame). During the French Revolution, it was housed in the National Library and finally reached Notre Dame in 1801. It is inside a glbad tube and lacks thorns because they have been fragmented into different churches (two of them are in the lower St. Peter in Rome). It also guarantees that the nail comes from the Holy Sepulcher and, according to historians, Christians from Jerusalem gave it to the Emperor Charlemagne in 799.

These remains of Christ are not regularly seen by tourists, but the crown is displayed for the faithful who visit Paris the first Friday of each month at 15h (time of death of Jesus Christ) and Good Friday on extended hours.

This year, no doubt, it will be different. We still do not know where these relics will be moved during the rebuilding of Our Lady and we have not yet said if they would be exhibited in another temple on Good Friday.

Of course, we must thank the courage of Father Fournier, chaplain of the Paris firefighters, who went on fire in the cathedral to save the crown of thorns and the sacred sacrament, putting his life in danger to save these icons and these precious elements of our religion