France: Solemn Mass in Nice basilica after deadly attack

Photo credit: Olivier Huitel/Diocese of Nice

Source: Diocese of Nice

A solemn Mass was held for the Feast All Saints, in Notre Dame basilica in Nice, scene of the deadly attack on Thursday, October 29 which left three people dead.

Mgr Andre Marceau, bishop of Nice, presided over the Mass, in the presence of the priests of Nice, priests of the parish of Notre-Dame de l'Assomption and parishioners. The Mass was concelebrated with Mgr David, Archbishop of Monaco, Mgr Aveline, Archbishop of Marseille, Mgr Barsi, Archbishop Emeritus of Monaco. Several political figures and authorities also attended.

A statement from the diocese said the Mass was preceded by "a special penitential rite of reparation that must be conducted when a seriously harmful act, such as murder, is committed in a church."

The basilica was plunged into darkness, the altar bare after the clergy processed in. Bishop Marceau said: "Tonight, let us dare to live the sign of water, the sign of our baptism … Water is a sign of conversion, of our plunge into the heart of the mystery of God of love. Let us hear this call to live. He then sprinkled the walls of the basilica with holy water. Then the lights came back on. The bishops and priests wore white, a sign of purity, the passage from darkness to light, invoking the saints on this day of All Saints.

During the celebration, the three victims of the attack were remembered: Nadine, aged 60, Simone, 44, and Vincent, the sacristan, who was 55 years old.

Maximum security was in place throughout the service. Because of Covid restriction, a smaller than usual number of parishioners were able to attend, but the Mass was broadcast live on KTO TV. Outside the basilica, hundreds of people gathered to commiserate and express their solidarity.

The Diocese of Nice has published a special prayer for the victims and for their families on its website.

Meanwhile, investigations in France have led to the arrest of three other people suspected of having had contact with the attacker, 21-year-old Brahim Aoussaoui.

LINK

Diocese of Nice: https://nice.catholique.fr/