Holy Doors
In honor of the Jubilee Year of Mercy , local churches throughout the world will open Holy Doors as a place for pilgrims and penitents to pass through 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.
The primary site of the Door of Mercy in the Archdiocese of Louisville is the mother church, the Cathedral of the Assumption. A Door of Mercy will also be opened at the Basilica of St. Joseph Proto-Cathedral and additional sites as designated by the archbishop. These doors will be open for the entire year through which anyone who enters will experience the love of God who consoles, pardons, and instills hope.
At the request of particular pastors, Archbishop Kurtz has designated a Holy Door at the Churches listed below beginning December 2015.
Holy Doors for the Jubilee Year of Mercy
Cathedrals:
• Cathedral of the Assumption
• Basilica of Saint Joseph Proto-Cathedral
Additional Churches or Locations:
• Church of the Annunciation, Shelbyville
• Holy Family Church, Louisville
• Holy Rosary Church, Springfield
• Church of the Holy Spirit, Louisville
• Holy Trinity Church, Louisville
• Saint Aloysius Church, Pewee Valley
• Saint Augustine Church, Lebanon
• Saint Christopher Church, Radcliff
• Saint Francis of Assisi Church, Louisville
• Saint Helen Church, Glasgow
• Saint John Chrysostom Church, Eminence
• St. Joseph Home for the Aged, Little Sisters of the Poor, Louisville
• Saint Mary Magdalen of Pazzi Church, Payneville
• Saint Peter the Apostle Church, Louisville
• Saint Rita Church, Louisville
• Saint Theresa of Avila Church, Payneville
• Saint Vincent de Paul Church, New Hope
• Saint William, Louisville
May the faithful find meaning in the door when they understand that the door is a symbol of Christ, the universal door to salvation.
INDULGENCE IN THE JUBILEE YEAR OF MERCY
An indulgence is the partial or full remission of the penalties still due to sins which have already been forgiven.
Pope Francis has granted an indulgence to the Faithful in the Jubilee Year of Mercy in the following circumstances:
A. Pilgrimage:
• The Faithful are to make a brief pilgrimage to the Holy Door, open in every cathedral or church designated by the diocesan bishop, as a sign of a deep desire for true conversion.
• This pilgrimage is to be linked to the Sacrament of Reconciliation and to the celebration of the Holy Eucharist with a reflection on mercy.
• In addition the Faithful make a Profession of Faith and pray for the pope and his intentions for the good of the church and the entire world.
B. Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy:
Each time one of the faithful personally performs one or more of the spiritual and corporal works of mercy he/she shall obtain the Jubilee indulgence.
C. Jubilee Indulgence for the sick, elderly, often confined to their homes
A Jubilee Indulgence may be obtained by their living with faith and joyful hope this moment of trial, receiving communion or attending Mass and community prayer.
D. For those incarcerated
For those persons imprisoned that have become conscious of the injustice they worked and sincerely wish to re-enter society and make their honest contribution to it, they may obtain the indulgence in the chapel of the prison, directing their thought and prayer to the Father each time they cross the threshold of their cell.
E. For the Deceased
The Jubilee Indulgence can also be obtained for the deceased by praying for them during the Celebration of the Eucharist.
