PARIS — The renowned medieval statue of the Virgin Mary and Child, referred to as “The Virgin of Paris,” made its way back to the Notre Dame Cathedral on Friday evening, marking five years since it remarkably survived the catastrophic fire that devastated the iconic structure in 2019.

This impressive almost six-foot tall stone sculpture has long stood as a beacon of hope and faith for Catholics in Paris and far beyond. Following the tragic blaze on April 15, 2019, the statue was temporarily moved for safety.

In a remarkable turn of events, the statue retained its integrity through the fire, earning it the affectionate title “Stabat Mater,” or the standing Virgin, symbolizing resilience amid the destruction surrounding it.

The statue’s return was celebrated with a torchlit procession starting at the forecourt of Saint-Germain-l’Auxerrois Church. Hundreds of devoted parishioners and local residents participated, accompanying the statue along the banks of the Seine River to the square in front of Notre Dame Cathedral, where Archbishop Laurent Ulrich of Paris administered a blessing ceremony.

“Tonight, as we escort the Virgin Mary back to her cathedral, to the place where countless generations have gathered in prayer, we realize she is reuniting with the house of Christ,” Ulrich expressed as he bowed before the statue, blessing it with incense.

This historical piece, originally housed in the Saint-Aignan Chapel on the Île de la Cité, dates back to the mid-14th century. It was moved to Notre Dame in 1818 and has experienced several relocations before being permanently established in 1855 at the southeast pillar of the cathedral, under the direction of architect Eugène Viollet-le-Duc, as indicated by a release from the cathedral.

A vigil followed the ceremony, marking the end of a nine-day prayer cycle which commenced on November 7. This event is part of the activities leading to the cathedral’s much-anticipated grand reopening scheduled for December 8.

In a related note, last Thursday the cathedral received three new bells, one of which was used during the Stade de France events in the recent Paris Olympics. This Olympic bell, gifted by the organizing committee for Paris 2024, will now join two smaller bells named Chiara and Carlos, positioned above the altar.

“We will gather once more in just a few days to open the door to Christ,” Ulrich remarked during the significant ceremony.