Thursday 9 January 2025, Belize City

The opening and closing ceremonies are a highlight of Jubilee 2025. Both feature the symbolic opening and closing of the Holy Doors.  Throughout this year  “The Holy Door will become a Door of Mercy through which anyone who enters will experience the love of God who consoles, pardons, and instills hope.” 

 For Catholic pilgrims, passing through the Holy Doors is only part of a profoundly personal, enriching spiritual experience. The idea of a door or gate as a symbol of entry into the Lord’s good graces comes directly from the New Testament.

In the Gospel of John, Jesus tells the Pharisees, “I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved and will come in and go out and find pasture.” (John 10:9) In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus tells his disciples, “So I say to you, ask and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you.” (Luke 11:9)

Holy Redeemer Cathedral in Belize City and Our Lady of Guadalupe (OLOG) Co-Cathedral in Belmopan City have been designated as Holy Doors in our Diocese.  The official launch of Jubilee 2025 took place on January 4, at our OLOG Co-Cathedral and on Thursday January 9, the Holy Door of the Holy Redeemer Cathedral was opened.

An introductory ceremony was held in the Holy Redeemer School yard, followed by a short procession led by Rev. Fr. Jordan Gongora to the doors of the Cathedral.  After a brief prayer, he knocked and the doors were opened.  The procession continued inside where a beautiful Mass was held for the special occasion.

Sacred Sites have now been designated as follows:

1) St. Peter Claver Church, Punta Gorda with missions to San Luis Rey (San Antonio) and Nazareth.

2) Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Benque Viejo

3) Our Lady of Guadalupe Co-Cathedral, Belmopan City

4) San Pablo Catholic Chapel, San Pedro.

5) Holy Redeemer Cathedral, Belize City

6) La Inmaculada Conception, Orange Walk Town

7) San Roman, Rio Hondo

8) San Joaquin, Corozal District

9) Saint Francis Xavier, Corozal Town

10) Divine Mercy Church, Belize City