Had the privilege of passing through the Holy Door of St Peter’s Basilica during the Jubilee Year in 2000. This year, we are lucky that our local parish church has been chosen by the diocese as one of the pilgrim churches for the Jubilee Year of Mercy. No need to travel to Rome to pass through a holy door. Take note MM that gaining indulgence isn’t as simple as passing through the Holy Door. According to the letter written by Pope Francis:

“To experience and obtain the Indulgence, the faithful are called to make a brief pilgrimage to the Holy Door, open in every Cathedral or in the churches designated by the Diocesan Bishop, and in the four Papal Basilicas in Rome, as a sign of the deep desire for true conversion. Likewise, I dispose that the Indulgence may be obtained in the Shrines in which the Door of Mercy is open and in the churches which traditionally are identified as Jubilee Churches. It is important that this moment be linked, first and foremost, to the Sacrament of Reconciliation and to the celebration of the Holy Eucharist with a reflection on mercy. It will be necessary to accompany these celebrations with the profession of faith and with prayer for me and for the intentions that I bear in my heart for the good of the Church and of the entire world.”

I might just add to your :”I just hope there is a lot more PEACE right now because we are intellectually capable of it, we just don’t seem to collectively want it enough” my soul’s lament: the disconnect that people keep doing the things that work against their own interests and those of the society at large. Lord help us all.

A blessed Easter season to you and yours and the netizens who visit this blog.