Crown of Thorns rescued from Notre Dame fire by hero Paris fire brigade chaplain Father Fournier

Father Fournier rescued the Crown of Thorns from the burning cathedral
@KTOTV Paris via Etienne Loraillère
Megan White16 April 2019

The Paris Fire Brigade Chaplain has been hailed a hero after he went into the burning Notre Dame cathedral to rescue the Crown of Thorns.

Father Fournier has been thanked for his bravery after saving the crown, a priceless religious relic made to resemble the one worn by Jesus Christ before his crucifixion, and the Blessed Sacrament.

Some even called for the chaplain to be made a saint for his work saving the priceless artefacts on Monday.

He was part of the rescue effort which saved dozens of historical relics and are now safely in storage at the City Hall.

Firefighters and police formed a human chain to save dozens of artefacts and other works of art.

File photo: The Crown of Thorns is thought to have been worn by Jesus Christ before the crucifixion
AFP/Getty Images

Etienne Loraillère, an editor at France’s KTO Catholic Television, reported: “Fr. Fournier, chaplain of the Paris Firefighters, went with the firefighters into Notre-Dame cathedral to save the crown of thorns and the Blessed Sacrament.”

Purported to be a relic of the wreath of thorns placed on the head of Jesus Christ at his crucifixion, the hallowed object was stored in the cathedral's treasury.

French King Louis IX brought the relic, which is contained in an elaborate gold case, to Paris in 1238.

Social media users thanked the priest for his work and courage.

Randy C said: “He should be made a Saint today!”

Andrea Gianna Liceaga tweeted: “Thank you so very much Fr. Fournier for saving Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament and the holy relics!! May God greatly reward you. #HeroPriest”

Treya added: “God chose this Chaplain! He is blessed and surrounded by Divine Grace! Give him thanks!”

While Rin Margaretha commented: “Merci mon Père! Thank you for your courage! Thank you all the firemen too. May God bless you all.”

Other relics rescued from the cathedral included the Tunic of Saint Louis and the statues of the 12 apostles.

A Vatican spokesman said Pope Francis is praying for French Catholics and the Parisian population "under the shock of the terrible fire.”

Alessandro Gisotti said on Twitter that the pope "is close to France" and that he is offering prayers "for all those who are trying to cope with this dramatic situation".

Earlier, the Vatican expressed "shock and sadness" at the fire that caused extensive damage to "a symbol of Christianity in France and in the world".

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