By Almudena Martínez-Bordiú
Vatican City, Dec 3, 2024 / 17:55 pm
Exciting news from the Vatican! On the evening of Dec. 2, a special ceremony called the “recognitio” took place in St. Peter’s Basilica. This ceremony is a traditional ritual that verifies the integrity of the Holy Door, ensuring it is ready to be reopened for the upcoming Jubilee 2025.
The pilgrimage to the Holy Doors holds immense significance during a jubilee year, symbolizing a spiritual journey of renewal and conversion in Christ. It marks a new beginning and a fresh start for those who pass through.
The ceremony was led by Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, the archpriest of the basilica, who initiated the proceedings with a solemn prayer. The “sampietrini,” the caretakers of St. Peter’s Basilica, then carefully removed the wall that sealed the Holy Door within the church.
Within the wall, a metal box was discovered, sealed since the conclusion of the Jubilee of Mercy in 2016. This box holds the key that will unlock the Holy Door on the evening of Dec. 24, along with other significant artifacts such as handles, a parchment certifying its closure, four golden bricks, and medals from the pontificates of Francis, Benedict XVI, and St. John Paul II.
Cardinal Gambetti then led a procession, accompanied by the chanting of the litanies of the saints, from the Holy Door to the Altar of Confession, where a moment of prayer was observed. The ceremony continued as the participants moved to the Chapter House, where the contents of the metal box were unveiled.
