By Francesca Pollio Fenton
The city of Paris will host the 2024 Summer Olympics from July 26 to August 11. More than 10,000 athletes from 206 countries are expected to compete in 32 other sports. Paris is one of three cities to have hosted the Summer Games three times: in 1900, 1924 and now in 2024.
For Catholics visiting the historic city for the games, there are plenty of sacred sites and Catholic monuments you can visit. Here’s a look at five of them:
In particular, the most famous cathedral in Paris, and one of the most famous in the world, Notre-Dame Cathedral is a must-see. Dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, the French Gothic-style cathedral is visited by more than 12 million people a year. Due to a fire in 2019 that caused significant damage to the historic monument, access to the interior of the cathedral is only allowed in December. However, visitors can still see the cathedral from the outside.
The Chapel of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal built in 1815 and dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Fifteen years later, in 1830, the chapel became the site of the apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary to Saint Catherine Labouré, sister of the Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul. Three apparitions took place in July, November and December in which the Blessed Mother told Catherine to cast a medal based on the photographs she had allowed her to see. Around 3 million people stop at the sanctuary every year.
The Basilica of the Sacré-Cœur de Montmartre, commonly known as the Basilica of the Sacré-Cœur, is a Roman Catholic church and minor basilica in Paris also dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The basilica also serves as a shrine for perpetual worship, which has been installed 24/7 in the sanctuary for approximately 140 years. Visitors can take part in Eucharistic adoration and also stop at the chapels to appreciate the other mosaics and climb the dome for a view of Paris.
Built in 1629 by Louis In letters written through Martín’s family, they mention her love for Our Lady of Victories and thank her several times for her intercession. The sanctuary has two chapels dedicated to the Martin family, one for Teresa and another for Zélie and Louis where, since 2012, the relics of the holy couple have been kept.
The Church of Saint-Étienne-du-Mont is a church in Paris dedicated to the city’s patron saint, Saint Genevieve, known for her piety, healings and miracles. It is said that thanks to her prayers, Paris was saved from destruction. through the Huns under Attila in 451. The church also houses relics of Saint Genevieve and the tomb of Saint Blaise Pascal.