As Pope Francis opened the Holy Door of Saint Peter’s Basilica, the evening of 24th December 2024, he ushered in the widely-anticipated 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope and will mark its conclusion on 6th January 2026 with Pope Leo Closing the Holy Door on the Solemnity of Epiphany of the Lord. In our Archdiocese we shall conclude our Jubilee celebration on 28th December 2025.
The Meaning of the Holy Door
The origin of the custom goes back to Pope Martin V who, for the Extraordinary Jubilee of 1423, opened a Holy Door to enter the Lateran Basilica. In St. Peter’s, it was first used for the Jubilee of 1450. The Holy Door, traditionally opened only during Jubilee years, is more than just an architectural element in a basilica. It marks the following
changes in our Life:
A symbol of Christ, as we read in the Gospel of John Ch:10 “I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.” Passing through the Holy Door expresses the decision to follow and be guided by Jesus, who is the Good Shepherd.
A path of conversion, calling the faithful to repentance, renewal, and deeper communion with God.
A tangible sign of grace, reminding us that God’s mercy is not an abstract idea, but an invitation we can step into.
Walking through the Holy Door is therefore a journey—one that brings the pilgrim from sin to forgiveness, from darkness to light, and from brokenness to wholeness.
As the Church journeyed through the Jubilee Year 2025 with the theme “Pilgrims of Hope”—Catholics across the world were invited to rediscover the transformative power of God’s mercy. Central to every Jubilee celebration is a profound ritual, rich in symbolism and spirituality is the ‘Holy Door‘.
The Closing of the Holy Door: Not an Ending but a Sending
As Jubilee 2025 draws to a close, the Holy Door will be sealed once again. Far from being a conclusion, this ceremony marks a new beginning. It marks:
A Seal of Gratitude, Gratitude for the reconciliation and healing and for the spiritual renewal within families, parishes, and communities.
A Call to Carry Mercy Forward, While the physical door closes, the door of God’s mercy never shuts. The ritual symbolizes that the grace received must now be taken into the world through our homes, workplaces, and society at large—especially where hope is fragile or fading.
A Reminder of Commitment, The Jubilee is a beautiful season of grace, but it is temporary. The Christian life, however, is a lifelong pilgrimage. The closing of the Holy Door invites us to carry forward the fruits of the Jubilee through continued prayer, deeper charity, renewed faith, and active service to the marginalized.
Jubilee 2025: The Jubilee Celebration was held at three levels viz. The Universal Church led by Pope Francis and now by Pope Leo; at Archdiocesan Level, for us The Archdiocese of Goa and Daman led by Archbishop Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrao and at Parish Level by Parish Priests Fr. Agnelo Rodrigues and now by Fr. Simpliciano N. Fernandes. The Archdiocese of Goa and Daman gave to its faithful a 25-point programme which the Parishes could adopt for its Jubilee Celebration. Let us have a brief overview at the Parish Level Activities we undertook as part of the Jubilee Celebration in sync with the 25 Point Programme of the Archdiocese.
The Unveiling of the Jubilee Banner at our Parish: Fr. Agnelo Rodrigues th inaugurated a large banner for our Parish on 25 Jan 2025, thus marking the start of Jubilee Celebration in our Parish. The Jubilee Hymn: Our Parish Choir led by Fr. Josely Rocha presented the official Jubilee Hymn in English and Konkani and our Parish Choir was one of the First Parishes in Goa to have uploaded the Hymn on YouTube. (Jubilee idea no. 21) The Konkani Solo and Duet Singing Competition ‘Kantaram Lharam’ 2025 was held under the banner Jubilee idea of Promoting Talent among our Catholic Community across Goa. (Jubilee idea no. 15) Felicitation of Workers at the Church: Four Church workers were felicitated at the hands of our Parish Priest Fr. Agnelo Rodrigues. (Jubilee
idea no. 19)
The Jubilee Cross was Blessed and installed in our Parish. The Jubilee cross was taken in our SCC’s during the Way of the cross in the Lent Season. (Jubilee idea no. 3) The Jubilee Tree was planted in the Church Compound and Parishioners were asked to participate in the ‘Bring home a plant or Plant a Tree’
Campaign. (Jubilee idea no. 18).
24 Hours for the Lord was held for the first time in our Parish as part of Faith Forming activity during this Jubilee Year. (Jubilee idea no. 14) The Parish organized the International Exhibition on ‘The Eucharistic Miracles of the World’ designed by St. Carlo Acutis along with the Veneration of the Relic of the Saint. Around 7000 visitors across Goa visited our Parish to witness this event from 28th April to 4th May 2025 (Jubilee idea no. 14)
Marian Jubilee was held on 13th May 2025 by the Legion of Mary group of the Parish. The members of the L of M were felicitated on the occasion with Parish Jubilee Mugs. (Jubilee idea no. 14)
Catechists held their Annual Catechetical Day with the Jubilee theme ‘Pilgrims of Hope’ on this occasion Catechists were felicitated for their service with the Parish Jubilee Mugs. (Jubilee idea no. 4)
‘Jubilee Cup 2025’ A 3-A side inter-SCC Penalty Shootout Football tournament was organized for our Men and Women participants. (Jubilee idea no. 23)
Jubilee Pilgrimage: The Parish community led by Parish Priest Fr. Simpliciano N. Fernandes visited the designated Churches in the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman i.e. St. Jerome Church Mapusa and St. Christopher Church Tivim. (Jubilee idea no. 1)
Our Parish participated in the Jubilee of SCC’s, wherein a presentation was made by Moderator on the Topic ‘Charity in our SCC’s’. (Jubilee idea no. 2)
Jubilee 2025 challenges the faithful to be messengers of hope, especially in a world burdened by conflict, division, and suffering.
As we prepare for the solemn closing of the Holy Door, let us remember that God never stops calling us forward. The Jubilee may end, but the Christian mission continues.
May our hearts remain open…. as open as the Holy Door was throughout this year…. ready to welcome God’s grace….. and ready to share that grace with the world…..
May we walk as true pilgrims of hope, carrying the light of Christ into every corner of our life. May we all prepare our life towards the Jubilee of Redemption 2033, marking the 2000 years celebration of Resurrection of our Lord Jesus and the Birth of our Beloved Church.
-Adlete Mascarenhas