Even though it is being restored, Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral this year is decorated with colorful lights and miniatures, attracting a large number of young people before Christmas.
For about a week now, the campus in front of Notre Dame Cathedral in District 1 has been decorated with many 60-meter-long golden strings of lights covering the two bell towers. This is the first time the church has been brightly decorated for Christmas since it was restored in 2017.
Notre Dame Cathedral is located in the Paris Commune square, built in 1877, completed after 3 years and was awarded the status of minor basilica by the Vatican in 1959 (official name is Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Mary). Immaculate Conception). Every Christmas, this place is decorated splendidly, attracting many people to visit and celebrate.
The Bethlehem Christmas Star is prominently decorated between two bell towers radiating multicolored lights.
Inside the church grounds, there are decorated grottoes and miniatures recreating the Nativity story.
According to the Bible, the baby Jesus was born lying in a donkey’s manger in Bethlehem in Judea (Jewish country, now Palestine). Mary and Saint Joseph (foster father) were always there to take care of him. The angels announced that the baby would be the Messiah. Jesus came to earth to start a new page in history for all humanity, teaching people to love each other.
The project is under maintenance, so there is a fence around it that is over 2m high, and lights are decorated along the fence to create beauty for the church.
Many young people also took advantage of taking photos under the sparkling lights in front of the church grounds.
“Saigon has many beautiful places, but an outstanding place like this is difficult to find. The church has not yet been renovated but is still decorated for everyone to visit and admire the beauty of us Catholics”, said Tran Thi Hoai Anh, Binh Thanh district.
Like many young people, Ms. Chi brought her small child along with her mother from District 12 to Notre Dame Cathedral to visit and take photos. “I’ve passed by the church many times, but this is the first time I’ve seen the church lit up so brightly, it looks very beautiful,” Ms. Chi said.
As evening approaches, more and more people arrive at the church.
In front of the church grounds, many people gathered on the evening of December 14.
Many people come to pray in front of the statue of Our Lady of Peace.
Passersby also stopped in front of Notre Dame Cathedral to take photos.
Christmas and celebration Mass at Notre Dame Cathedral will take place on two main days, December 24 and 25, like every other day. year.
Photo,Video: Internet