Franciscans, Custodians of the Holy Doors in the Holy Land: A Jubilee Invitation
- Notre Dame of Jerusalem
- Oct 6
- 2 min read
By Fr. David Barton L.C.
October 6th - Pontifical Institute Notre Dame of Jerusalem Center
As the Catholic Church celebrates the Jubilee Year, pilgrims across the world are invited to journey through Holy Doors, symbols of grace, reconciliation, and renewal. While many think first of the great basilicas in Rome, few realize that in the Holy Land—the very soil where the mysteries of our faith unfolded—there are also three sanctuaries with Holy Doors, entrusted to the care of the Franciscans of the Custody of the Holy Land.
The Franciscans: Guardians of the Holy Places
Since the 13th century, the Franciscan friars have been charged with safeguarding the sacred sites of the Holy Land. Their mission, confirmed by countless popes and supported by the faithful through the Good Friday Collection, is not only to preserve the stones of our history but to welcome pilgrims and animate these places with prayer and liturgy.
In this Jubilee Year, their role takes on a particular significance. The sanctuaries they serve are not only monuments of memory but living portals of mercy.
The Three Holy Doors in the Holy Land
In communion with the universal Church, three sanctuaries in the Holy Land have been granted a Holy Door:
The Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre (Jerusalem)
The very place of Christ’s Passion, Death, and Resurrection. To pass through its Holy Door is to step into the heart of our salvation.
The Basilica of the Annunciation (Nazareth)Â
Where Mary said her yes, opening the way for the Word to become flesh. Pilgrims here rediscover the call to faith, trust, and mission.
The Basilica of the Nativity (Bethlehem)
Where the eternal Son of God was born as a child for us. Walking through this Holy Door invites believers into the mystery of God’s closeness and humility.
Together, these doors mark the great arc of the Incarnation and Redemption—from Nazareth to Bethlehem to Jerusalem.
Pilgrimage During the Jubilee
The Jubilee is a time of grace and renewal. A pilgrimage to the Holy Land during this year offers an unparalleled opportunity to walk where Jesus walked, to pray where He prayed, and to encounter His mercy in a profound way.
The Franciscans, as custodians, warmly welcome pilgrims from every nation. Their presence ensures not only that these sanctuaries remain places of prayer but also that the living Christian communities of the Holy Land continue to be supported and sustained.
A Personal Invitation
Crossing a Holy Door is more than a ritual—it is a passage of the heart. To do so in the Holy Land is to root one’s spiritual journey in the very places where God revealed His love most fully.
In this Jubilee, consider making a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Come to Nazareth, Bethlehem, and Jerusalem. Walk with the Franciscans, who for centuries have been humble guardians of these mysteries. Enter the Holy Doors, and let Christ open the door of your heart to His mercy.
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