First Lady Marta Nawrocka is visiting Paris, where she will take part in a unique cultural event at the restored Notre-Dame Cathedral. The ceremony will also mark the inauguration of the Polish Chapel and the reintroduction of the Icon of Our Lady of Częstochowa, which was destroyed during the 2019 fire at the cathedral.
The Polish Delegation in the Heart of Paris
Marta Nawrocka’s visit to the French capital carries both symbolic and spiritual significance. The Polish delegation, accompanied by Archbishop Tadeusz Wojda, President of the Polish Bishops’ Conference (KEP), will participate in the ceremony restoring the Polish Chapel to Notre-Dame Cathedral – one of the most important places of Christian worship in Europe. The event is intended to unite representatives of the French Polish community, clergy, and public officials, emphasizing Poland’s place in France’s spiritual and cultural heritage. According to the organizers, the ceremony will combine elements of prayer, sacred music, and reflection on shared history.
The Polish Chapel was consecrated in 2018, but only a few months later, in April 2019, a fire destroyed a significant part of the cathedral. The copy of the Icon of Our Lady of Częstochowa, deeply venerated by the Polish community in France, was also damaged. After years of reconstruction and restoration of Notre-Dame Cathedral, thanks to the combined efforts of the Polish clergy and benefactors from Jasna Góra, the image of the Virgin Mary is returning to its place in the renewed chapel.
Marta Nawrocka’s visit to Paris highlights the importance of Poland’s religious heritage in Europe. By taking part in this event, the First Lady will pay tribute to the Polish Christian tradition and the French Polish community, which has preserved the memory of its roots for generations.