A closing brings a new opening
The Holy Year will officially end on January 6, the Feast of the Epiphany. The year has been marked by deep spiritual renewal, mercy, and unity. A Holy Year – or Jubilee – is a special period of grace in the Catholic tradition, inviting believers to reconciliation with God, renewal of faith, and service to others.
It is a sacred time when the Church opens wide the “doors of mercy,” encouraging all to rediscover the boundless compassion of God and to become instruments of that mercy in the world.
During the year hundreds of thousands have descended on Rome to take part in the various activities on offer. Pilgrimages, special prayers, works of charity, and the Sacrament of Reconciliation have played central roles in this spiritual journey. The faithful have been called to reflect on their relationship with God, with one another, and with creation.
Many parishes and dioceses have offered pilgrim routes, days of reflection, and opportunities for community outreach, a reminder that faith is not a private possession but a gift to be shared through love and service.
The closing of the Holy Doors on January 6 symbolises not an end but a new beginning. The doors of mercy that were opened in cathedrals and basilicas throughout the world have become doors of faith, calling believers to carry the experience of grace beyond the Holy Year.
The Epiphany commemorates the revelation of Christ to all nations through the Magi which encapsulates this message: God’s mercy and salvation are for everyone, without distinction. Just as the Magi journeyed in search of the Light, Christians are invited to bring the light of Christ into every corner of the world.
The late Pope Francis often described a Holy Year as a time for the Church to “go out” and to reach those on the margins, to reconcile divisions, and to heal wounds. Many communities have embraced this call, deepening their commitment to justice, compassion, and peace.
Acts of forgiveness, initiatives to support the poor, and renewed attention to the environment have all reflected the living spirit of the Gospel. Therefore, the Holy Year becomes not just a period of devotion, but a living mission: to make real the mercy and love of God.
As the Jubilee concludes, the Church invites all the faithful to carry forward the spirit of the year into daily life. The experiences of prayer, reconciliation, and service are meant to shape a renewed sense of discipleship. The Holy Year has reminded us that conversion is a continuous process and an invitation to open our hearts daily to God’s transforming grace.
The journey of mercy continues through acts of kindness, gestures of forgiveness, and every moment of faith shared. For in Christ, the true light revealed to the nations, the door of grace is never truly closed.
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