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One grey July morning in 2013, I was staying in an apartment opposite Notre Dame. I had awoken earlier than usual that morning and stood at the window and stared at the beautiful Cathedral and the deserted square in front. Without thinking, I dressed quickly and left the apartment, and my sleeping husband, and crossed the bridge. I stood and looked up at the Cathedral and then I saw a man by the side door and walked over to him. Struggling with my pitiful French, I asked him if it would be possible to go inside, although I knew the Cathedral was closed to the public at that hour (7:10am). He opened his arms wide, smiled and told me I was very welcome!

I stepped inside that hushed, stunning Cathedral, devoid of people, and stood transfixed. The beauty, the peace, the magnificence of that hallowed building just overwhelmed me. I tiptoed around, afraid to make any noise (I don’t know why) and craned my neck upwards to admire the windows, the ceiling, the columns; somehow I felt this huge stone building was embracing my very soul. I sat on a chair beside one of the stone columns, unaware of how the time was passing and suddenly realized I was not alone any more; other people were walking quietly into the Cathedral to attend Mass. I did not move. The Priest, who must have been there all the time unbeknownst to me, began the Mass and I closed my eyes and listened to the muffled voices chanting the responses . Finally, I arose and crept out as silently as I could. Outside, blinking in the unaccustomed daylight, I saw that a line of tourists had formed.

My precious moment of solitude was over and I walked slowly and thoughtfully back to the apartment my heart soaring .

I will never forget the morning when I was alone inside that beautiful Cathedral and was overcome by peace, awe, and … sheer happiness.