In France the Holy Headdress brings about a sacred union
Event is one of the most significant of the festivities celebrating the 900th anniversary of the Cathedral of Cahors
The Holy Headdress was carried in procession through the streets of Cahors for the first time since 1940. (Photo by MICHAEL FABRE/MAXPPP)
Within the context of the festivities celebrating the 900th anniversary of the Cathedral of Cahors in Southwestern France, the relic of the Holy Headdress of Christ was carried in a procession through the city's streets on April 27. This is the first time since 1940 that the relic has been carried in procession. This was made possible through the joint efforts of the diocese, the city, the State, and the civil society.
Under heavy guard in police transport, the Holy Headdress was unaffected by the rain as it was brought to St Bartholomew's Church in Cahors. Under a clearing sky, around 2,000 of the faithful gathered before the church for the first procession of this great relic of the Passion of Christ in 80 years.
This event was one of the most significant of the festivities celebrating the 900th anniversary of the Cathedral of Cahors.
With over 100 committed volunteers who have been working hard for several months, Cahors' Catholic community processed through the narrow streets of this medieval city. Bystanders looked on, curious or astonished. Some business owners had stuck posters of the event onto their windows.
"I am not a believer," said Mireille, for example, "but I am very attached to this treasure of our city, the Holy Headdress, a historic legacy."
Jeanne Dumont, coordinator of the spiritual events of the cathedral's 900th anniversary, stated: "This relic is a means of deepening one's faith. It symbolizes the resurrection of Christ. Before it, we are like the apostles before the empty tomb. It also allows us to testify publicly and to reach out to all."
The procession was a manifestation of popular devotion that surprised and pleased Bishop Laurent Camiade of Cahors, who returned the Holy Headdress to its place of honor.
"This touches the heart of people who are not interested in other, more abstract propositions of the Church. They experience a closeness with something that they are able to see, almost touch. Our role is to be present in this process," he said.
In this region, marked - as elsewhere - by de-Christianization, this procession was made possible by close collaboration between the diocese, Cahors' municipal authorities, the State and civil society.
An association was formed to allow extensive festivities to celebrate the cathedral's 900th anniversary from March 12 to Dec. 8 and, over and above the cathedral itself, to celebrate the history of the city.
"As the Lot department is rather anti-religious, I am astonished to see the very strong enthusiasm about this project.
Different people have all made contributions and demonstrate a real commitment to our heritage," said a woman who has a good knowledge of the local situation. "The cathedral and its treasures are part of the identity of Cahors, just like the Valentré Bridge."
The State, through the regional leadership of Cultural Affairs of the administrative region of Occitanie that wished to recognize the value of the Holy Headdress, was part of the driving force behind the procession, as was the municipal council of Cahors.
"For rural regions like ours, this kind of project with historical monuments is fundamental," said Michel Simon, first deputy of the medieval city. "Here, in a city of 20,000 inhabitants, we have to come together or else it doesn't work."
The fire at Notre Dame brought to mind the fragility of this age-old heritage. Through the promotion of the cathedral and its Holy Headdress, the common objective is to "cast a light on Cahors and to develop spiritual tourism so that the city can take its place with Rocamadour and Lourdes," said Sylvain Ginier, the general coordinator of the cathedral's 900th anniversary celebrations.
The celebrations, however, were shaken by the standing down of the man who was at the origin of this project, Ronan de Gouvello, rector of the cathedral. On March 3, the Bishop of Cahors announced that he had asked him to "step down" following "serious allegations of breaches in his priestly duties."
"We wondered whether we should go on," said Jean-François Masurier, one of the leaders of the volunteers committed to the 900th anniversary celebrations, who is still affected by the shock of this event that had ramifications beyond the diocese.
Nonetheless, the enthusiasm about the Holy Headdress has not diminished. In the image of the Holy Tunic of Argenteuil, Cahors is hoping for the same trajectory.
The showing of this important relic began on Palm Sunday in the cathedral. Another procession is already being planned.
__NOTOC__




As part of the celebration of 900 years of the  in , France, celebration ongoing through April, a precious relic was carried in procession through the streets of the city on Saturday, April 27: the  of . 

Photo of the Sainte Coiffe during the ostension on April 27, 2019. 

The Holy Headdress is recognized by tradition as the veil that covered the head of  when he was buried.  By one tradition,  brought back the relic of Jerusalem and offered it to the diocese of Cahors.  The relic has been venerated in  since the construction of the cathedral 900 years ago.

The "Sainte Coiffe" got back into the streets of  for the first time in nearly eight decades. The relic was carried in procession followed by, according to varying reports, nearly 2000 people, perhaps some hundreds more, in an event both for believers and curious. The procession made its way at the pace of hymns and prayers, through the narrow streets of the town, then on the banks of the , and ended on the forecourt of the .

The event was sustained by the city of Cahors, the State of France, and the civil society, for which many people have invested themselves, including volunteers.

Other celebrations and other events have been planned in Cahors until December.


File:Procession de la Sainte Coiffe Rue des Soubirous.jpg|thumb|The procession at the Rue des Soubirous. 
File:Sainte Coiffe Rue du Château du Roi.jpg|thumb|The procession at the Rue du Château du Roi. 
File:Sainte Coiffe Rue du Château du Roi Relique.jpg|thumb|The procession at the Rue du Château du Roi. 
File:Procession de la Sainte Coiffe Rue nationale.jpg|thumb|The procession at the Rue nationale. 
File:Procession de la Sainte Coiffe Place Hélène Metges.jpg|thumb|The procession at the Place Hélène Metges.