We have been to Paris and Notre Dame many times. However, we have never been there when the Crown of Thorns was on display. We will be in Paris on Friday April 8 this year. I understand that the Crown of Thorns is on display every Friday during Lent. Has anyone seen it? What are the crowds/lines like? Is it worth the effort to see it?
Bill
Hi Bill,
I was there 3 years ago and to me it was a very worthwhile experience. I waited in line for perhaps one hour. The central area of the cathedral is allocated for people attending the mass. The pomp and circumstance surrounding the presentation of the crown of thorns was a sight to behold. After the presentation you are able to approach the crown and kiss the container holding the crown which is then cleansed. I highly recommend it if you have the time.
Enjoy! Jaime
I've absolutely never heard of this...and been to Paris more times than I can count. This will certainly be on my radar while there in March 2017.
Of course, even Catholic sources admit that there is no way of authenticating if this is the actual Crown of Thorns worn by Christ at the Cruxifixion.
I'd suggest that you go as early as possible, maybe 20 mins before the ceremony begins.
djp_syd - of course. Most of the relics found all over Europe come with stories which have been handed down and retold through many generations. But that's ok - it's all part of the "intrigue" of Europe :-)
My favourite is the "piece of the tablecloth used at the Last Supper" in the Hapsburg treasure chamber in Vienna - I'm not even sure that they would have used one given their historical era and social background!
One of my professors in grad school would say that the Crown of Thorns is a forest (if you put together all of the claimed Crowns of Thorns in every church) and John the Baptist had 20 heads (if you add up every skull relic of John the Baptist). He was a riot. When we talked about the famous monastery at Cluny, he referred to the monks as "10,000 Cluniacs."
Fake news I guess, all these claims. Lol
Certainly not "fake news" to true believers!
Items like pieces of bone, blood, slivers of the True Cross and other relics were routinely bought and sold, especially during the Middle Ages and Renaissance.
One could also purchase "tickets to heaven" before dying, from the kindly priest.
Either you believe, or you don't...but in those dark days, it was probably better to be safe than sorry.
"One of my professors in grad school would say that the Crown of Thorns is a forest (if you put together all of the claimed Crowns of Thorns in every church) and John the Baptist had 20 heads (if you add up every skull relic of John the Baptist)."
It's a similar situation with "pieces of the True Cross" (the one actually used to crucify Jesus).
