Welcome to a journey through time, starting from the Holy Year of 1900, as we delve into the fascinating ceremonies surrounding the opening of the Holy Door.
By Amedeo Lomonaco
Every Jubilee holds a symbolic image of the Pontiff crossing the threshold of the Holy Door, a tradition dating back to the Middle Ages. The first pilgrim to walk through the Holy Door is always the Bishop of Rome. The documented history of this ritual dates back to 1423 when Pope Martin V opened the Holy Door at the Basilica of St. John Lateran during a Jubilee year. At the Vatican Basilica, the first recorded opening of the Holy Door was on Christmas of 1499 by Pope Alexander VI, who also ordered the opening of the Holy Door at other Roman basilicas.
The opening of the Holy Door
The Pope’s act of opening the Holy Door marks the beginning of the Jubilee. In the upcoming Holy Year of 2025, this ritual will kick off the celebrations, followed by a special Mass on Christmas Eve inside St. Peter’s Basilica. The symbolic opening involves the Pope pushing the door open, with the traditional use of a hammer to strike the brick seal on the outside being discontinued for safety reasons. The Holy Door remains open throughout the year, allowing pilgrims to pass through and experience the indulgence associated with the Holy Year.
Crossing the threshold of the Holy Door symbolizes a journey of conversion and an encounter with Christ, the “door” that unites us with the Father. The Jubilees represent a rich history of faith opening its doors to the world, where the Pontiff’s steps intertwine with those of the people of God on the paths of forgiveness.
File Photo of Pope Francis crossing the threshold of the Holy Door in 2015
The Jubilee of 1900
The Jubilee of 1900 aimed to address the challenges of modernization. On December 24, 1899, the Holy Door was opened, attracting pilgrims, cardinals, bishops, diplomats, and the nobility to St. Peter’s Basilica. Pope Leo XIII crossed the Holy Door, marking the official commencement of the Jubilee amidst a bustling atmosphere in the city.
The Holy Year of 1925
In 1925, Pope Pius XI inaugurated the Holy Year by opening the Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica on Christmas Eve. The solemn ceremony was a significant moment in the history of the Jubilee, with the Pope striking the door with a gift from catholic bishops before crossing the threshold.
The Jubilee of 1933
The Jubilee of 1933, commemorating the 1900th anniversary of Christ’s death, was a grand event that drew over two million pilgrims to Rome. The opening of the Holy Door marked the beginning of the Jubilee of Redemption, with Pope Pius XI receiving hundreds of pilgrims in a special audience.
The Holy Year of 1950
In 1950, Pope Pius XII opened the Holy Door for the Jubilee with three symbolic strikes of a hammer, symbolizing a significant moment of grace and celebration in the Christian world.
Archive photo of Pope Pius XII opening the Holy Door in 1950
The Jubilee of 1975
The Holy Year of 1975, dedicated to reconciliation, saw Pope Paul VI opening the Holy Door on Christmas Eve, symbolizing a new beginning and a path towards peace.
Archive photo of Pope Paul VI opening the Holy Door in 1975
The Holy Year of 1983
In 1983, an extraordinary Jubilee commemorating the passion and resurrection of Christ saw Pope John Paul II open the Holy Door, emphasizing the symbolic nature of entering a state of grace and salvation.
Archive photo of Pope John Paul II opening the Holy Door in 1983
The Jubilee of 2000
In preparation for the Great Jubilee of 2000, Pope John Paul II opened the Holy Door on Christmas Eve 1999, symbolizing two millennia of history in a single moment and ushering in hope for the new millennium.
The Holy Year of 2015
The extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy commenced in 2015, with Pope Francis opening the Holy Door at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Bangui, Central African Republic. He later opened the Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica, joined by Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI in a gesture of continuity.
