One of the ways to celebrate the Year of Mercy is the tradition of the Holy Door, which pilgrims may pass through — a practice which involves a plenary indulgence.
In addition to several Holy Doors opened in Rome by Pope Francis Dec. 8, dioceses can have their own Holy Doors at a cathedral or a shrine. In the Diocese of Duluth, Bishop Paul Sirba has designated the center interior doors at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary as the diocesan Holy Door. On Dec. 13, at the Cathedral’s 10:30 a.m. Mass, he will be symbolically opening those doors as part of the liturgy. People may then go in pilgrimage to visit the door throughout the Year of Mercy.
In Catholic tradition, the Holy Door represents the passage to salvation. For more information, see this article from the most recent issue of The Northern Cross.
