The universal Church continues her journey through the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy. During Jubilees, the Church encourages the faithful to make a pilgrimage to a Holy Door. Pope Francis invited all Catholics to make their way through one of the officially designated doors. A Holy Door is a special door in a cathedral, basilica or a parish of significance.
The most prominent Holy Door is at St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican. Not all of us can make a pilgrimage to Rome. Thus, there are many sites of pilgrimage throughout the world. The Archdiocese of Toronto has nine Holy Doors. Eight opened on 13 December 2015. The final one opened at the Martyrs' Shrine in Midland, Ontario on Saturday 07 May 2016. It was on that day that the Shrine opened for the 2016 season.
Fr. Michael Knox, S.J., the new Director of the Martyrs' Shrine, presided at Mass opening the season and invited the capacity crowd to follow him and the concelebrants outside after Mass. There was a light rain, but that didn't deter the crowd from accepting the invitation. Most Holy Doors are actually part of a physical church building. The door at the Martyrs' Shrine is outside, just a few feet from the side entrance to the church.
If you have been there, it's helpful to know that the Holy Door is on the hillside with the Stations of the Cross. It is at the start of the path, adjacent to the First Station. It was blessed and we followed Fr. Knox, and the Jesuits who work with him, through it. We recited the special prayers to be offered at each Station of the Cross and, finally, paused for prayer in the Brébeuf Prayer Garden. Then we were invited to return to the Shrine Church for a few moments before the Blessed Sacrament. My thought was that having the Holy Door on the Shrine grounds reiterates the conviction that the blood of the Martyrs permeates the soil of this sacred place.
The Shrine's Holy Door is entitled Our Lady of Mercy. It was constructed just before the season opened and uses materials native to the area. The wooden door is set in a stone gate. Ojibwa artist William Monague created the artwork that decorates the door. It depicts Our Lady Mercy and is rich in symbolism relevant to the Roman Catholic Church and indigenous peoples.
The description of the artwork speaks of God's mercy. "God's love and mercy teaches us to be compassionate and forgiving, instilling hope in those that believe in his forgiveness. Forgiveness leads to tranquility, and frees the heart from feelings of loss, hate and revenge, which can burden the mind and heart of every person." Monague's piece is rich in symbolism. It includes a cross of stars in the moonlit sky. He says that this "honours the dedication and courage" of Brébeuf and his companions.
Those visiting this season are encouraged to walk through the door so you can gain this Jubilee year's plenary indulgence as we walk towards Christ with Saints Jean de Brébeuf and his companions. The Holy Door is open uniquely for the 2016 season and will be sealed permanently at a ceremony that will take place at the end of the season.
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All photos courtesy of Martyr's Shrine.