The Ritual of Sealing the Holy Door at St. Peter's Basilica
The head of the Catholic Church, Pope Leo XIV, recently performed a significant religious ceremony - the closing of the Holy Door at St. Peter's Basilica. This grand basilica is the last one among all the papal basilicas in Rome to have its Holy Door sealed, marking the official conclusion of the Holy Year that began several years prior.
The Ceremony of Closing the Door Leaves
As per religious tradition that was started in 1975 and simplified by Saint John Paul II during the Great Jubilee of 2000, the ceremony commences in the morning. The new tradition skips the public walling-up of the door and focuses on closing the door leaves only. The Pope leads a prayer of gratitude for the Ordinary Holy Year. As the rite dictates, he states, “This Holy Door is closed, but the door of Your mercy is not closed.”
Following this, he prays for God's divine grace to remain open to all. He expresses hope that at the end of our time on Earth, we can approach the door to heaven with confidence and enjoy the fruits of eternal life.
The Closing of the Holy Door
The Pope then approaches the Holy Door while the antiphon “O clavis David” is sung. Kneeling on the threshold, he engages in a moment of silent prayer before personally closing the large bronze leaves of the door. This significant act signifies the end of the Jubilee period, while emphasizing the unending availability of God’s mercy.
Immediately after the sealing of the Holy Door, the Pope leads the Holy Mass for the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord within St. Peter's Basilica.
Private Walling-Up of the Holy Door
Approximately ten days after the public ceremony, the actual walling-up of the Holy Door occurs. This act is carried out privately, following a specific rite overseen by the Office for the Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontific.
The technicians, known as sampietrini, from the Fabric of St. Peter's are responsible for constructing the brick wall inside the Basilica to seal the Holy Door. In other papal basilicas, technicians from the Governorate of Vatican City State undertake this task.
The Significance of the Holy Door
The Holy Door serves as a symbol of God's eternal mercy, welcoming all who walk through it. With its closing and subsequent sealing, it marks the end of the Holy Year, a time of special indulgence in the Catholic Church. This concludes a period of intense prayer, reconciliation, and unity among the faithful, preparing them for the regular rhythm of life, always under the shelter of God’s unwavering mercy.