(OSV News) – On Dec. 13, the Crown of Thorns was returned to Notre Dame, marking a deeply moving moment for Parisians and pilgrims alike. The relic, which survived the devastating 2019 fire, had been stored at the Louvre since the blaze. The return procession, attended by over 400 members of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre, saw the crown – held by a knight in full regalia – walk from the Louvre to Notre Dame, drawing crowds of onlookers. The crown, acquired by King Louis IX in 1239, was originally housed at Sainte-Chapelle before being moved to Notre Dame in 1806. Once inside the cathedral, it was placed on the new altar, designed by Sylvain Dubuisson. The reliquary, an altarpiece of marble and cedar wood, evokes the crown’s Byzantine history with its gilded bronze thorns and intricate design. Archbishop Laurent Ulrich led a prayer service, reflecting on the significance of the relic during Advent and the Passion. From Jan. 10, 2025, the crown will be displayed every Friday, offering visitors a chance to venerate it in its new, radiant setting – symbolizing Notre Dame’s rebirth as a cathedral of light.