What Do I Do at the Holy Door?
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WHAT DO I DO AT THE HOLY DOOR? Pope Francis wrote the following about gaining a Plenary Indulgence by crossing through a Holy Door during the Jubilee Year of Mercy: “I wish that the Jubilee Indulgence may reach each one as a genuine experience of God’s mercy, which comes to meet each person in the Face of the Father who welcomes and forgives, forgetting completely the sin committed. To experience and obtain the Indulgence, the faithful are called to make a brief pilgrimage to the Holy Door, open in every Cathedral or in the churches designated by the Diocesan Bishop […] as a sign of the deep desire for true conversion. […] It is important that this moment be linked, first and foremost, to the Sacrament of Reconciliation and to the celebration of the Holy Eucharist with a reflection on mercy. It will be necessary to accompany these celebrations with the profession of faith and with prayer for me and for the intentions that I bear in my heart for the good of the Church and of the entire world.” (Pope Francis, Letter, 1 Sep. 2015) In the Diocese of San Angelo, Bishop Michael Sis has designated the following four Jubilee Holy Doors: Sacred Heart Cathedral in San Angelo The Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Midland St. Mary Parish in Odessa The Eucharistic Adoration Chapel at Sacred Heart Parish in Abilene A Plenary Indulgence is the complete remission of all temporal punishment due to sins whose guilt has already been forgiven. In addition to prayerfully crossing through the Holy Door, Pope Francis has established the following conditions to be met in order to receive this Jubilee Indulgence: Go to Sacramental Confession within several days before or after you cross through the Holy Door. Receive Holy Communion (with personal reflection on mercy) within several days before or after you cross through the Holy Door. Pray for the intentions of the Pope by praying the Profession of Faith (also typically one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory Be). Truly repent of your sin and let go of your attachment to sin, even venial sin. Be in the state of grace at least at the time of the visit to the Holy Door. [2] FURTHER CLARIFICATIONS: An Indulgence can be obtained for oneself or for souls in Purgatory, but it cannot be applied to other persons living on earth. A Plenary Indulgence can be acquired multiple times throughout the year, but no more than once in the course of a day. A single sacramental Confession is sufficient for gaining several Plenary Indulgences. A separate reception of Holy Communion and a separate prayer for the Pope’s intentions are required for each Plenary Indulgence. It is appropriate, but not necessary, that the reception of Communion and the prayer for the Pope’s intentions take place on the same day as the visit to the Holy Door. It is sufficient that the sacramental Confession, reception of Communion, and the prayer for the Pope’s intentions be carried out within several days before or after the visit to the Holy Door. Profession of Faith (Creed): I believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible. I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages. God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father; through him all things were made. For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven, and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate, he suffered death and was buried, and rose again on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead and his kingdom will have no end. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church. I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen. [3] OPTIONAL PRAYERS: These additional prayers are also helpful for a fruitful visit to the Holy Door, but they are not required for the Plenary Indulgence: Prayer Before Crossing the Threshold of the Holy Door Open the gates of righteousness; I will enter and thank the Lord. This is the Lord’s own gate, Through it the righteous enter. (Psalm 118:19-20) Lord God, you open the doors of your mercy to all who come to you. Look upon me, your child, a sinner, and receive me into your arms. As I enter into your house, may you enter into my heart. Refresh me with the double grace of sorrow for my sins and the knowledge of your loving mercy extended to all who call upon your name. Let us go forth in the peace of Christ! Amen. Prayer After Crossing the Threshold of the Holy Door How lovely your dwelling, O Lord of hosts. Blessed are those who dwell in your house. They never cease to praise you. Better one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere. (Psalm 84:2,5,11) Lord God, I am filled with the knowledge of your unending mercy. As I have entered into your house, I ask you to enter into mine that you be near me each day. Fill me with your grace, so that I may open my heart again and again to receive your mercy. Grant that I may be merciful like the Father throughout my life. Let us go forth in the peace of Christ! Amen. [4] PRAYER OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS FOR THE EXTRAORDINARY JUBILEE OF MERCY Lord Jesus Christ, you have taught us to be merciful like the heavenly Father, and have told us that whoever sees you sees Him. Show us your face and we will be saved. Your loving gaze freed Zacchaeus and Matthew from being enslaved by money; the adulteress and Magdalene from seeking happiness only in created things; made Peter weep after his betrayal, and assured Paradise to the repentant thief. Let us hear, as if addressed to each one of us, the words that you spoke to the Samaritan woman: “If you knew the gift of God!” You are the visible face of the invisible Father, of the God who manifests his power above all by forgiveness and mercy: let the Church be your visible face in the world, its Lord risen and glorified. You willed that your ministers would also be clothed in weakness in order that they may feel compassion for those in ignorance and error: let everyone who approaches them feel sought after, loved, and forgiven by God. Send your Spirit and consecrate every one of us with its anointing, so that the Jubilee of Mercy may be a year of grace from the Lord, and your Church, with renewed enthusiasm, may bring good news to the poor, proclaim liberty to captives and the oppressed, and restore sight to the blind. We ask this of you, Lord Jesus, through the intercession of Mary, Mother of Mercy; you who live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit for ever and ever. Amen. .