Sixteen men were ordained to the priesthood at Notre-Dame Cathedral on June 28, marking the first ordinations at the site since the 2019 fire and restoration.

The ceremony brought the largest group of new priests to the Paris archdiocese in over 20 years.

Approximately 5,000 people attended, with 2,000 inside the cathedral and 3,000 outside watching on screens, according to The Catholic Herald.

The new priests, aged 27 to 42, come from diverse backgrounds, including a former military doctor, an IT specialist, and a sports coach.

Half of the eight religious community members belong to the Emmanuel Community, a prominent French Catholic association.

Archbishop Ulrich emphasized the significance of their calling, saying their “public witness of faith, expressed through active charity and steadfast hope, is the true wealth of their lives as priests.”

The increase in ordinations contrasts with just six new priests for the diocese last year.

Nationally, France expects about 90 ordinations in 2025, with the Community of Saint Martin leading among religious groups.

The growing number of priests reflects a broader revival in French Catholicism, highlighted by a 45 percent rise in adult catechumens welcomed at Easter this year — the highest on record.