Holy Door

What is a Holy Door?

A holy Door has been used since the 15th century as a ritual expression of conversion.  Pilgrims and penitents pass through it as gesture of leaving the past behind and crossing the threshold from sin to grace, from darkness to light  Often these rituals are associated with prayer, pilgrimage, sacrifice, confession and indulgences.

But a holy 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)

For this Jubilee Year of Mercy, Pope Francis has allowed local bishops to designate Holy Doors in their diocese.

The photos above are of the Holy Door at The Grotto (The National Sanctuary of Our Sorrowful Mother). The first two are from the outside and the third from the inside.