Our Lady of Chartres jubilee year opened on September 8, 2024

The jubilee year of the millennium of the crypt of Chartres Cathedral in Eure-et-Loir (France) was opened on September 8, 2024, the anniversary of the nativity of the Virgin Mary, by Bishop Philippe Christory of Chartres.

Charles Péguy called Chartres Cathedral a “lighthouse on a sea of wheat fields”. The French writer was a frequent pilgrim to this Marian site overlooking the Beauce plain, as hundreds of thousands of people have been and continue to be. This majestic cathedral stands with its spires stretched skywards, visible for miles around. Its foundation began with the famous crypt designed by Fulbert 1000 years ago this year.

Bishop Christory chose September 8, 2024, the day of the Nativity of Mary, in reference to the fact that the cathedral has been home to a Marian relic since 876. At that time, Charles the Bald, king of the Franks, was confronted with regular Norman raids on his kingdom. To protect the town, he sent the Virgin Mary's veil, which had been given to his grandfather Charlemagne, as a banner.

And so it was that this devotion was born. Having become a shrine city, Chartres Cathedral had to be partially or totally rebuilt on several occasions: 858, 1194, and 1836.  In 1020, the cathedral was totally destroyed. Bishop Fulbert decided to rebuild it. Today, the famous crypt remains, celebrating its millennium. For Bishop Philippe Christory, the launch of this jubilee year reaffirms the connection between past and present, between cultural heritage and spiritual tradition, placing Chartres on the map of France as a place of prayer and encounter with God. 

During the jubilee, pilgrims are invited to walk through the crypt before entering a jubilee door. This is one of the conditions for obtaining a plenary indulgence, as well as completing the jubilee walk - a symbolic pilgrimage taking visitors to different places in the crypt, "from darkness to the light" -, going to confession, receiving communion and praying for the Holy Father's intentions. We've had Rome's blessing,” explains Mgr Christory, ”for the faithful to receive a plenary indulgence. You can ask for it for a deceased person, and that's very precious, because we all want our deceased to see the face of God and enjoy this glorious eternity.” 

Numerous events and processions are being organized throughout this jubilee year, providing an opportunity to pay homage to a tradition that has been unbroken for 1000 years, and can only reinforce the spiritual presence of this Marian “lighthouse” in the heart of the Beauce region of France.

Adapted from : Camille Meyer

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