This is a general alert (RELAX. I’m holding things at a demure Elevated, Yellow) for all those that have visited Ronchamp in the fifty or so years preceding September 11 2005. For, before then ye faithful sketching hordes, Ronchamp ’twas not a consecrated church, which I guess until now made it just a humble shed.

The word is, that it was blessed in 1955 at its inaugruation, however it was not formally consecrated. Consecration involves the devotion of relics - Corb himself could have filled this role - the recitation of the litany, some incense burning, some candle lighting and the anointing of the walls and the altar. Without consecration, mass can only be carried out in a building with express written permission from the local bishop. It is unclear whether Ronchamp was given this dispensation, however consecration was carried out in September this year so if you have been there since the 12th you should be dandy.

I for one am not dandy. I visited earlierthis year and while I wouldn’t be so crass as to demand my 1 euro donation for the candle I lit refunded, it would be nice to know if the Chapel of Notre Dame du etc had some kind of scheme in place whereby previous prayers, solemn thanks, grateful silence and general goodwill to all peoples could be reimbursed.