The Holy Door: Everything You Need to Know for the 2025 Jubilee

The Holy Door is an important spiritual symbol, especially during Jubilee years. In 2025, for the Jubilee, the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica will be opened to invite pilgrims to cross this sacred threshold and renew their faith. This ritual is associated with plenary indulgence, allowing believers to receive complete forgiveness of temporal penalties. The opening ceremony, presided over by the Pope, will mark a significant moment in this global spiritual event, attracting faithful from all walks of life.

What is the Holy Door?

The Holy Door is a highly symbolic door, typically located in a basilica, that is only opened during a Holy Year, generally every 25 years. It symbolizes the passage between the secular world and the sacred world, and represents divine mercy.

Tradition holds that crossing the Holy Door during a holy year grants plenary indulgence, meaning the forgiveness of sins. The practice of the Holy Door dates back to the Middle Ages, and it is an important tradition of the Roman Catholic Church.

When will the Door Open for the 2025 Jubilee?

The Holy Door for the 2025 Jubilee will open on December 24, 2024. This date marks the beginning of the Holy Year, a period of grace and forgiveness, which will last until January 6, 2026. The Holy Door will be open in Rome at St. Peter’s Basilica, as well as in cathedrals worldwide. The opening of the Holy Door symbolizes an opening to divine mercy and invites the faithful to a path of conversion and spiritual renewal.

Where are the Holy Doors in Rome?

In Rome, the Holy Door is located in each of the Four Major Basilicas of Rome:

1. St. Peter’s Basilica (Vatican): This is the most well-known Holy Door, located at the main entrance of the basilica.
2. St. John Lateran Basilica: The official cathedral of Rome.
3. Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls: Located outside the city walls.
4. Basilica of Saint Mary Major: One of the oldest churches dedicated to the Virgin Mary.

When was the Holy Door last opened before the Jubilee 2025?

The Holy Door was last opened in 2015, for the Holy Year of Mercy. It was opened by Pope Francis, who then inaugurated the Holy Door of Mercy, a similar door opened in every diocese in the world.

How can I visit the Holy Door during the Jubilee?

To visit the Holy Door during the 2025 Jubilee in Rome, follow these steps:

1. Planning: Consult the Jubilee calendar to identify the best dates, especially during major religious holidays like Christmas, Easter, or the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul.
2. Pilgrimage: One of the main acts of faith during the Jubilee is to pass through the Holy Door in one of the four major basilicas of Rome (Saint Peter’s, St. John Lateran, St. Paul Outside the Walls, and St. Mary Major).
3. Spiritual conditions: To receive the plenary indulgence, pilgrims must confess, participate in the Eucharist, pray for the Pope’s intentions, and perform acts of charity.

It is recommended to prepare spiritually before the visit and arrive early to avoid crowds, as these events attract thousands of pilgrims.

Are there specific times to pass through the Door?

The hours for passing through the Holy Door during the Jubilee depend on the basilicas and the time of year. Generally, the major basilicas are open to visitors every day, but during major Jubilee celebrations (such as Christmas, Easter, and Holy Week), specific schedules may be implemented to regulate the influx of pilgrims.

It is advisable to consult the calendar and information provided by each basilica in advance to know the exact hours and avoid periods of high attendance.

Is it possible to pass through the Holy Door multiple times during the Jubilee?

Yes, it is possible to pass through the Holy Door multiple times during the Jubilee. Each passage is an act of faith symbolizing spiritual renewal. However, to obtain plenary indulgence multiple times, certain conditions must be met with each passage, such as confession, participation in the Eucharist, praying for the Pope’s intentions, and performing acts of charity.

Plenary indulgence can be obtained daily, provided these conditions are met each time.

What happens when one passes through the Holy Door?

When one passes through the Holy Door during a Jubilee, it symbolizes an act of pilgrimage and spiritual conversion. The faithful cross this door to renew their faith and ask for forgiveness for their sins. The passage is often associated with obtaining plenary indulgence, which grants forgiveness for the temporal penalties associated with confessed sins.

What are the indulgences associated with the Holy Door?

The indulgences associated with the Holy Door allow pilgrims to receive a plenary indulgence, which forgives the temporal penalties due to already confessed sins. To obtain this indulgence, it is necessary to meet the following conditions:

1. Confession.
2. Participation in the Eucharist.
3. Praying for the Pope’s intentions.
4. Performing acts of charity or acts of penance.

These conditions must be met in a state of grace, and indulgence can be received daily if they are fulfilled each time.

Are there other famous Holy Doors in the world?

Yes, there are other Holy Doors in the world, although the tradition is primarily associated with the four major basilicas of Rome. During Jubilees, the Pope may authorize the opening of Holy Doors in important cathedrals or sanctuaries across the world.

Here are some of the most important Holy Doors in the world:

1. Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City (Mexico).
2. Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Montmartre, Paris (France).
3. Cathedral of Saint James of Compostela (Spain).
4. Basilica of Our Lady of Lourdes (France).
5. Chartres Cathedral (France).
6. Basilica of Our Lady of Częstochowa (Poland).

These doors offer to the faithful who cannot travel to Rome the opportunity to experience the Jubilee pilgrimage and receive plenary indulgences in their own diocese. They are only opened during Jubilee years, just like in Rome.

Crossing the Holy Door during the 2025 Jubilee in Rome is more than just a pilgrimage. It is a process of inner conversion, of reconciliation with oneself and with God. This intense spiritual moment, marked by prayers and ceremonies, is a unique opportunity for pilgrims to receive plenary indulgence and to fully experience the message of mercy and forgiveness. By participating in these rites, believers enter into a centuries-old tradition, strengthening their connection with the Church and with the global Christian community.

Find our complete 2025 Jubilee dossier, this exceptional event that only happens in Rome every 25 years!

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