Pope Francis has opened the Holy Door at Saint Peter Basilica in the Vatican. Every twenty-five years since the year 1300, the Church has proclaimed a year of Jubilee. This is consistent with the Jewish tradition of a jubilee when debts were pardoned and slaves were freed. On December 30th, I had the opportunity to walk through this door which is usually sealed shut with concrete.
The Holy Year is a moment in the life of the Church when the faithful are called to experience the grace of God in a renewed way during their daily lives. It’s an invitation to “open wide the doors to Christ,” allowing His grace to transform us. Pope Francis wrote in Spes Non Confundit that “in Catholic tradition, the Holy Door represents the passage to salvation — the path to a new and eternal life, which was opened to humanity by Jesus.”
At the Papal Mass on January 1st for the Feast of Mary Mother of God, Pope Francis emphasized in his homily that the Blessed Mother is the door through which God Himself became man for our sake. A great reflection to start the Jubilee Year.
A Holy Door was opened at Saint John Lateran and Mary Major, two of the other major basilicas of Rome. In a few days, a fourth door will be opened at the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls.
There is something powerful about walking through a door that is only opened every twenty-five years. Though not a magical portal or a “get free into heaven” pass, going through one of these doors requires deliberate action from the person who reaches it. It involves a pilgrimage, a desire for true repentance, and a step to grow closer to God. The indulgence received by going through the door is the result of a concrete action the Church recognizes that helps us atone for the effects of our sin. An indulgence does not forgive sin, only God does, be it by true contrition and/or the sacrament of confession. An indulgence helps us make reparation for the effects of our sins.
While visiting Saint John Lateran this afternoon, I stopped by the small fresco which depicts Boniface VIII calling the first Holy Year in 1300. I was surprised that nothing special marked the significance of this painting. Perhaps it’s because Boniface VIII was actually not the best Pope, maneuvering the election and resignation of Pope Celestine V before him, and then leading to the departure of the Papacy from Rome to France.
May this Holy Year be a time of renewal and grace. May it inspire us to journey in joy toward Christ. May we open the doors of our hearts to Christ.
Pictures are mine.
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In