A Holy Door is a special door in a cathedral, basilica or other parish of special significance that becomes a pilgrimage site during a Jubilee Year. These are usually celebrated every 25 years, although the Pope can designate a Jubilee Year at other times, such as St. Pope John Paul II in 1983 and Pope Francis for the Jubilee Year of Mercy. Walking through the Holy Door during a Jubilee Year is one of the conditions for receiving a Jubilee Indulgence. Learn more about the tradition of Holy Doors here and here.
The most prominent Holy Door is located at St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican. This door is famously sealed with brick and mortar until a Jubilee Year. However, the three other Papal Basilicas in Rome (St. John Lateran, St. Mary Major, and St. Paul Outside-the-Walls) also have Holy Doors, and the Basilicas of the Holy Land are likewise traditionally designated as Jubilee Churches. In the rest of the world, the Jubilee Churches will be the diocesan cathedral or any other locations where the local Ordinary decides to open a Door of Mercy.
The Holy Doors in the Diocese of Springfiled Cape Girardeau are officially opened on Sunday, February 14, 2016. The Rev. Msgr Thomas E Reidy, Diocesan Administrator, has selected churches of special significance throughout our geographically vast Diocese.
List of the selected churches:
St. Agnes Cathedral - Springfield
St. Mary of the Annunciation Cathedral - Cape Girardeau
St Mary Church - Joplin
Immaculate Coneption Church - New Madrid
Sacred Heart Church - Salem
St. George Mission - Van Buren
St. Mary Church - West Plains