15st February : Our Lady Of Paris
15th February
Our Lady Of Paris
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There does not seem to be a great deal of information about Our Lady of Paris; it is an ancient title, and can be traced back to the 12th Century, when the Cathedral of Notre Dame de Paris (Our Lady of Paris) was begun.
During the 12th Century, an older church built by Childebert became too ruinous to be repaired, so Maurice, Bishop of Paris, decided to rebuild it and at the same time adorn Paris with a Cathedral that would outshine all those which had hitherto been built anywhere.
Plans were drawn up and work begun in 1162. By the beginning of the fourteenth century it was finished, virtually as it stands today. Sometimes during the building of the Cathedral, a statue of Our Lady was fashioned and installed in place.
To go back still further, some authorities say that veneration of the Blessed Virgin in Paris can be traced to the first apostles of the city. Since St. Paul was in Gaul (France) during his travels, it may be assumed that this veneration dates to the first century of the Christian era. And if Mary was venerated in Paris at that early date, it is possible that she was, even then, known as Our Lady of Paris. Briefly, as long as Christian minds can be remembered, Paris was consecrated to the Virgin Mary, whom the inhabitants always venerated.
