The sealed Holy Door at Little Flower Basilica during the Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy

Vigil Mass and Sealing of the Holy Door

A holy door or porta sancta has been used since the fifteenth century as a ritual expression of conversion. Pilgrims and penitents pass through it as a gesture of leaving the past behind and crossing the threshold from sin to grace, from slavery to freedom, and from darkness to light. Often these rituals are associated with prayer, pilgrimage, sacrifice, confession, and indulgences. But the door finds meaning only when the believer associates the door with Christ. Jesus is the Door! In the words of Pope Francis, "There is only one way that opens wide the entrance into the life of communion with God: this is Jesus, the one and absolute way to salvation. To him alone can the words of the Psalmist be applied in full truth: 'This is the door of the Lord where the just may enter' (Ps 118:20)."

Our Holy Father Pope Francis announced the Jubilee 2025, stating, "We must fan the flame of hope that has been given us, and help everyone to gain new strength and certainty by looking to the future with an open spirit, a trusting heart and far-sighted vision. The forthcoming Jubilee can contribute greatly to restoring a climate of hope and trust as a prelude to the renewal and rebirth that we so urgently desire..." The Holy Door will be opened on December 13, 2024 as a sign of our pilgrimage to the Father through the lord, Jesus Christ. He, Himself, is the "sheepgate" or Door through which people are to go in and go out and enter into eternal life.