Enter the Holy Doors

Lent began early this year, hot on the heels of Chinese New Year and Valentine’s Day.  More significantly, the Church ushered the Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy (Dec. 8, 2015 until Nov. 20, 2016) with the opening of the Holy Door in the Basilica of St. Peter in Rome.  Pope Francis has also made it possible for other churches abroad to have Doors of Mercy for the duration of the Jubilee Year.

Why the Holy Door?

The Holy Door is the symbol of Christ.  In John 10:7-10, Jesus said, “I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved….”

Entering the Holy Door is like going back to Jesus, knowing that through Him, we return to the Father.  It comes with a special blessing or Indulgence:  the forgiveness and remission of all sins.  This Indulgence is transferable, meaning you can offer it for the intentions of any living relations or for the dearly departed. 

However, some conditions have to be met to gain this Indulgence:  

1) Be in the state of grace (receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation).

2) Pray for the Pope (Jubilee Year prayer).

3) Renew your Baptismal vows (Apostle’s Creed).

4) Perform acts of charity (helping the poor, doing corporal and spiritual works of mercy). 

In the Archdiocese of Manila, the Holy Doors are located in:                  

• Basilica Minore of the Immaculate Conception, Manila Cathedral, Sto. Tomas, Intramuros, Manila. Manila used to be under the Archdiocese of Mexico until 1581 when it became a separate archdiocese. 

From the Jubilee Door, say the Jubilee Prayer, and offer your visit to either the living or the Dead.  Go to the Baptistery Fount and pray the Apostles’ Creed.  At the statue of St. Peter at the right side of the Basilica, pray for Pope Francis.  Go to the Chapel of the Holy Souls and pray for the departed ones.

• Santuario del Sto. Cristo, 183 F. Blumentritt St., San Juan City.  The original Sto. Cristo Church was in Binondo, Manila.  In 1641, a cross venerated in Binondo was transferred to San Juan by the Dominican priests, the present church.

• Shrine of the Divine Mercy, Maysilo Circle, (near City Hall), Mandaluyong.  There’s a 10-foot-high painting of the Divine Mercy and on the left side of the altar, a relic of Saint Sister Faustina.  Pray for the Pope and for the dearly departed as well as the other Jubilee prayers. 

• Our Lady of Sorrows, 2130 FB Harrison Street, Pasay City. The Holy Door is on the left side of the church.

There are stained glass windows that illustrate the Seven Sorrows of our Lady. Meditate on her Seven Sorrows and pray for Pope Francis.  At the Baptistery (where you’d find the images of Jesus and St. John, the Baptist), pray the Apostles’ Creed.

• National Shrine of the Sacred Heart, Sacred Heart Street corner Dao, Makati City. After entering the Holy Door, visit the Blessed Sacrament on the left side of the church and pray the required prayers. 

Plan your visit anytime between now and November 20, 2016.  It becomes more meaningful, however, if you do it during the Lenten season.  Not in one swoop but preferably, one or two churches at a time.  You cannot imagine the graces that you would have earned and saved in your spiritual bank.

Pope Francis said, “Lent is a privileged moment to celebrate and experience God’s mercy.”

  Be a pilgrim, do it early, avoid the influx of devotees during Semana Santa.