Every twenty-five years, pilgrims from all over the world flock to Rome for a jubilee year to witness the opening of a special door on the north side of St. Peter’s Basilica—the Holy Door—and to receive a special blessing by passing through it. This bronze Holy Door uniquely depicts the salvation story, from the dawn of creation to the present, through sixteen panels that inspire the faithful to connect their lives to the timeless story of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world.
In Opening the Holy Door, scripture teacher and veteran tour guide Joan Watson examines these sixteen panels of the jubilee Holy Door, guiding readers to pray and reflect upon the deeper meaning of these images by contemplating them through the lens of scripture. With a unique combination of an attentive gaze and imaginative prayer, Watson guides you to experience, panel by panel, each image as a focal point in the scripture narratives.
- Meet the angelic messengers—first in the Garden of Eden, where hope is lost, and then at the Annunciation, where God’s promise of the Messiah is fulfilled.
- Return to key moments in the life of Christ, from his Incarnation and Baptism to his Passion and Death.
- Place yourself in the scene of Christ’s earthly ministry, and witness the healing of the paralyzed man and the witness of the woman who anointed Jesus’s feet.
- Identify with the weaknesses and foibles of Jesus’s closest followers, from denying Peter to doubting Thomas and the miraculous conversion of Saul.
- Meditate on the gifts of the Holy Spirit, the Giver of Hope, who invites us to a living encounter with the God who loves us.
Whether you’re preparing for a visit to the Holy Door or embarking on an armchair pilgrimage from home, these reflections provide a meaningful way to celebrate the Year of Hope by exploring the people and holy moments that have been revered for centuries by Christians all over the world. Each reflection will help you to cross the spiritual threshold of this iconic door—located in the heart of the Church—as you enliven and enrich your faith by contemplating their timeless beauty.
This book is more than a guide for the jubilee year; it’s a spiritual companion for anyone seeking answers and hope in a fractured world.
Product Preview
| Format: | Paperback book |
|---|---|
| Product code: | AM803873 |
| Dimensions: | 5½" x 8½" |
| Length: | 128 pages |
| Publisher: |
Ave Maria Press
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| ISBN: | 9781646803873 |
| 1-2 copies | $14.03 each |
|---|---|
| 3-9 copies | $13.39 each |
| 10-49 copies | $12.76 each |
| 50-99 copies | $12.44 each |
| 100+ copies | $11.96 each |
Praise
“What the holy doors of St. Peter’s Basilica do every quarter century, Joan Watson enables the reader to do any day of the year: enter the mysteries of salvation history, connect personally with them, and walk from woundedness and loss to hope. Watson opens the door to a unique journey through salvation history. Combining sacred art and scripture reflection, she draws the reader into the mysteries of our faith, makes connections to life today, and helps us walk the path from woundedness and loss to freedom and hope. I highly recommend Opening the Holy Door for individual or group reflection.”
“Like a superhero, Joan Watson arrives just in time—to help us make the most of the Jubilee Year, a grace created especially for you and me and our generation. God wants us to understand this grace and correspond to it. He wants us to bring our family and friends along with us. This book shows us how. This book is powerful.”
“When Joan Watson offers spiritual wisdom, I pay attention. You should too. Opening the Holy Door has already deepened my hope in Jesus—and it will do the same for you.”
“What barriers do we need to break through? What defenses do we need to drop? What do we need to unlock to fully embrace the wonder, mercy, and hope of God’s love? This Holy Year is a perfect opportunity to explore those questions, and this heart-stopping book is the perfect companion for the journey.”
