Opening the Holy Door
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Description
The Door Has Closed. The Invitation Endures.
The Jubilee Year of Hope may have drawn to a close, and the Holy Doors of Rome may now be shut—but the grace they signify is not bound by a calendar. What the Church celebrated in 2025 was not a moment confined to history, but a living invitation: to conversion, renewal, and hope rooted in Christ.
During that extraordinary year, pilgrims from around the world crossed the threshold of St. Peter’s Basilica, marking a time of profound spiritual renewal for the Church. The canonization of Blessed Carlo Acutis, the first millennial saint, and the historic election of Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope, coincided with a remarkable resurgence of faith—especially among young people rediscovering the beauty and depth of Catholicism. Though the Jubilee has ended, its fruits continue to unfold in the lives of believers everywhere.
Opening the Holy Door invites you to step into that ongoing story.
Whether you were able to make a pilgrimage to Rome or experienced the Jubilee from afar—or whether you’re encountering its meaning for the first time—this book offers a deeper encounter with the heart of the Catholic faith. Scripture teacher and veteran Rome tour guide Joan Watson leads you panel by panel through the sixteen bronze images of the Holy Door, revealing each as a chapter in the great story of salvation. Through prayerful insight and biblical reflection, she shows how your own life is woven into God’s continuing work of redemption.
Along the way, you will:
· Encounter angelic messengers—from the loss of hope in Eden to its fulfillment at the Annunciation.
· Return to pivotal moments in Christ’s life, from his Incarnation and Baptism to his Passion and Death.
· Step into scenes of healing, repentance, and faith during Jesus’s earthly ministry.
· Recognize yourself in the weaknesses and transformations of Christ’s followers, from Peter and Thomas to Saul’s dramatic conversion.
· Meditate on the gifts of the Holy Spirit—the true Giver of Hope—who continues to draw us into a living relationship with God.
Even with the Jubilee year behind us, the meaning of the Holy Door remains before us. Opening the Holy Door helps you reflect on the enduring significance of that sacred threshold and connects your faith to the people, stories, and promises that have shaped Christians for centuries.
This is more than a guide to a moment now past—it is an invitation to ongoing renewal. The door may no longer be physically open, but the call to step more deeply into the life of the Church still stands.
Product Details
- Pages: 128
- Trim size: 5.5 x 8.5 inches
- ISBN: 9781646803873
- Imprint: Ave Maria Press
Description
The Door Has Closed. The Invitation Endures.
The Jubilee Year of Hope may have drawn to a close, and the Holy Doors of Rome may now be shut—but the grace they signify is not bound by a calendar. What the Church celebrated in 2025 was not a moment confined to history, but a living invitation: to conversion, renewal, and hope rooted in Christ.
During that extraordinary year, pilgrims from around the world crossed the threshold of St. Peter’s Basilica, marking a time of profound spiritual renewal for the Church. The canonization of Blessed Carlo Acutis, the first millennial saint, and the historic election of Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope, coincided with a remarkable resurgence of faith—especially among young people rediscovering the beauty and depth of Catholicism. Though the Jubilee has ended, its fruits continue to unfold in the lives of believers everywhere.
Opening the Holy Door invites you to step into that ongoing story.
Whether you were able to make a pilgrimage to Rome or experienced the Jubilee from afar—or whether you’re encountering its meaning for the first time—this book offers a deeper encounter with the heart of the Catholic faith. Scripture teacher and veteran Rome tour guide Joan Watson leads you panel by panel through the sixteen bronze images of the Holy Door, revealing each as a chapter in the great story of salvation. Through prayerful insight and biblical reflection, she shows how your own life is woven into God’s continuing work of redemption.
Along the way, you will:
· Encounter angelic messengers—from the loss of hope in Eden to its fulfillment at the Annunciation.
· Return to pivotal moments in Christ’s life, from his Incarnation and Baptism to his Passion and Death.
· Step into scenes of healing, repentance, and faith during Jesus’s earthly ministry.
· Recognize yourself in the weaknesses and transformations of Christ’s followers, from Peter and Thomas to Saul’s dramatic conversion.
· Meditate on the gifts of the Holy Spirit—the true Giver of Hope—who continues to draw us into a living relationship with God.
Even with the Jubilee year behind us, the meaning of the Holy Door remains before us. Opening the Holy Door helps you reflect on the enduring significance of that sacred threshold and connects your faith to the people, stories, and promises that have shaped Christians for centuries.
This is more than a guide to a moment now past—it is an invitation to ongoing renewal. The door may no longer be physically open, but the call to step more deeply into the life of the Church still stands.
Product Details
- Pages: 128
- Trim size: 5.5 x 8.5 inches
- ISBN: 9781646803873
- Imprint: Ave Maria Press
Customer Reviews
- DCDennis C.Verified Buyer2 months agoRated 4 out of 5 starsGreat for personal and group reflections
A member of our book club read the book himself and liked it so much that he suggested our book study group read it together. We reading it right now. Combinomg the scriptures and scriptures has generated much personal reflection and spurred deep group discussions. Four stars, because we do wish the photos of the door panels could have been a bit more clear and in color; we know the color would have been all bronze, that would still have been better than black and white.
- ACAve C.Verified Buyer2 months agoRated 5 out of 5 starsA Door of Hope
Many fine reflections to help us have Hope…no matter what.
- JWJudith W.Verified Buyer2 months agoRated 5 out of 5 starsA wonderful book to pray with
I myself found this book a wonderful aid in meditating of the Holy Door and the panels that teach Salvation history.
- MMMaria M.Verified Reviewer7 months agoRated 5 out of 5 starsPerfect for entering the season of Jubilee!
I purchased this as an ebook for my kindle app on my tablet. I have been very pleased with the quality of the photos of the sections of the Holy Door. I was afraid they would not come across cleanly in ebook form. The content of the book itself is thoughtful and has given me scripture and questions for reflection that are very helpful in my faith journey. I made this purchase after listening to the Ave Maria Explorers podcast, and I'm so glad that I did. I'm looking forward to future book recommendations.
- CCrystal-Lynn7 months agoRated 5 out of 5 starsOld Stories Made New
This book is so easy to read, yet it takes me deeper into my familiar bible to see the verses in a new way. I especially love the consistent reminder to take some time to ponder the panels and the bible verse before reading the reflections. It's a layout I'm not used to seeing. I'm reading this with my women's group and we are all appreciating the details both in the panels and the reflections. I cannot wait to see these beautiful depictions of God's Love Letter in person.
- SSue8 months agoRated 5 out of 5 starsPurchasing for Bible Study
I really enjoyed Joan’s book “Opening the Holy Door”. It was a walk through the Bible in a most thought provoking way, utilizing the pictorial reliefs on the holy door at St. Peter’s in Rome. She challenges you to go farther into the story to make the gospel come to life in a very personal way. It’s an easy read that would make a great bible study. She even poses questions at the end of the chapters to further challenge you to look deeper into its meaning. This is a great book.
In this Holy Jubilee year it’s a must read for anyone who wants to understand the significance of this most interesting and celebrated door.
