The Count of Paris, Jean d’Orléans, attended a mass in memory of Louis XVI, one of his distant ancestors. The opportunity for him to meet the Ariégeois, although in Mirepoix, where mass was celebrated, few made the trip.
It was market day this Thursday, January 21 in Mirepoix. Under the halls, butcher, fishmonger and other olive sellers are happy to meet customers. Regulars crowd in front of the stalls. “It seems that there is a mass today?” Asks Mireille. “Yes, there is even the king who is coming, jokes a shopkeeper, handing him his purchases. If he could still bring us some people …” he adds, shrugging his shoulders.
It was not the King of France, but one of his descendants, Prince Jean d’Orléans, Count of Paris, who made the trip to Mirepoix. January 21 is indeed the anniversary of the death of Louis XVI, and a special mass was given for the occasion. At the stroke of 10:30 am, a handful of devotees in their Sunday best arrive in the cathedral. Hat and tie for the gentlemen, skirts and ballerinas for the ladies. Among them, many retirees and families, as well as some representatives of the extreme right and the French ultra right. A quarter of an hour later, Jean d’Orléans and his wife, Philomena de Tornos y Steinhart, arrive. They are greeted by the parish priest, David Naït-Saadi, dressed in black and purple. The doors open wide … to close as soon as the couple entered. Journalists are not welcome.
The count and countess of Paris arrived around 10:45 am at Mirepoix cathedral.
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The Mirapicians mostly indifferent
Place Maréchal-Leclerc, it is hardly if the Mirapicians realized this arrival, discreet and furtive. Rather, the sun and the gentle air invite you to take your time. Michel, retired, talks on a bench with one of his friends, the shopping bags at their feet. “It does not make me hot or cold, he confides. There are people who pray, others not, there are Republicans and monarchists. As long as everyone respects the other, I don’t. ‘is equal.” And his friend added: “We prefer to talk quietly after the races. With the Covid, it is not easy to find each other a little.”
Some passers-by wonder about the presence of gendarmes, but the majority continue with their daily activities, without paying much attention to the event.
“Meet the French”
“It is important for me to meet the French, who are very attached to History. At a time when our landmarks are going in all directions, it is good to be able to relate to heritage”
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Three quarters of an hour later, mass is said. On the square of the cathedral, around thirty people gathered around the couple to exchange a few words. “I am not really a man of the media but rather a man of the field, recognizes Jean d’Orléans. My family having moved to Aude, we live nearby. It is important for me to meet the French, who are very attached to history. At a time when our landmarks are going in all directions, it is good to be able to relate to heritage. “
About thirty people attended mass before going to discuss with Jean d’Orléans and Philomena de Tornos y Steinhart.
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A feeling shared by Edwige and Jean-Dominique Dumortier. “We are from Toulouse, and we come every year to attend this anniversary mass”, she explains. “It is not a tradition, specifies his friend Robert Teisseire. It is France, it is our roots. The monarchy, it is 1500 years of stability, natural order and beauty.”
Like most of the other members of the assembly, the trio praises the historical heritage of the kings of France. “If tourists come every year to visit our country, it is in particular thanks to the fabulous monuments erected by the monarchy. This is what is the basis of our wealth, our heritage, believes Jean-Dominique Dumortier.” From the outside it may seem folklore, admits Robert Teisseire. But we are common people. For my part, I became a monarchist at 18. The important thing here is to share certain values and an attachment to our history. “
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