Notre Dame Cathedral

Monday evening, Notre Dame Cathedral caught fire.  The horrifying spectacle caught the attention of people around the world as everyone watched the iconic, 850-year-old building burn for at least 12 hours.  The Cathedral’s roof collapsed but, miraculously, the two medieval bell towers and most of the interior, including the stained-glass rose windows, escaped mostly unscathed.  Investigations are just beginning to discover what caused the fire, and donations are pouring in to help with eventual restoration work.  Historical treasures around the world are valued for the way they tie us to our past, the glimpses they give us of the lives and dreams of those that came before us, and the marvel they evoke in our souls at the engineering and artistry necessary for their existence.  We are thankful so much of Notre Dame survived the mammoth blaze, and pray the restoration can proceed quickly and efficiently to restore this cathedral to its former glory.