Local Holy Doors to close Nov. 13

Friday, Nov. 04, 2016
Local Holy Doors to close Nov. 13
IC photo/Marie Mischel
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Mattie Toledo enters the Cathedral of the Madeleine Holy Door during the Oct. 29 pilgrimage arranged by Saints Peter and Paul Parish. Hundreds of people participated in the pilgrimage, walking from Sacred Heart Parish to the cathedral, then attending Mass. For the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy, Pope Francis asked Catholics to direct their attention and actions "on mercy so that we may become a more effective sign of the Father's actions in our lives . . . a time when the witness of believers might grow stronger and more effective."
By Marie Mischel
Intermountain Catholic

SALT LAKE CITY — During the past 12 months of the Extraordinary Year of Mercy called by Pope Francis, bishops throughout the world were encouraged to designate, in their own diocese, a Holy Door at a cathedral or a shrine visited by pilgrims.
“This door represents the compassion, love, mercy, and consolation of God working in our lives,” according to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.  
Each of the four papal basilicas in Rome – St. Peter’s, St. John Lateran, St. Mary Major and St. Paul Outside the Walls – had their Holy Doors opened last December, starting with Pope Francis’ inauguration of the Year of Mercy at St. Peter’s basilica on Dec. 8. 
In Utah, two Holy Doors were designated, one by the Diocese of Salt Lake City at the Cathedral of the Madeleine, the other by the Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon at Saint Jude Maronite Catholic Church in Murray. Both doors were opened on Dec. 13; they will be closed Nov. 13.
At the Cathedral of the Madeleine, the event will be commemorated during the regular Sunday Masses at 11 a.m. in English and 3 p.m. in Spanish.
“It will be Mass as usual with a special blessing over the people at the end,” said the cathedral rector, Father Martin Diaz, adding that after the 3 p.m. Mass the door will be locked. 
At St. Jude, Father Joubran BouMerhi will do the blessing at both the Saturday, Nov. 12, Vigil Mass at 4 p.m. and the Sunday Mass at 10:30 a.m., using a prayer that came from the Maronite Eparchy.
Pope Francis will conclude the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy with the closing of the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica on Nov. 20, the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe.

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