Archdiocese to open Holy Door of Mercy

The Archdiocese of Boston will open a special Holy Door of Mercy at a ceremony at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross on Sunday, part of a global movement to celebrate the church’s Year of the Jubilee.

Every Catholic cathedral in the world has a designated Door of Mercy for the Jubilee, which are traditional years of celebration. Boston’s door will provide an opportunity for anyone to travel through the Holy Door, in case they cannot visit the one in Rome.

“Pope Francis has said that Mercy is the beating heart of the Gospel,” Cardinal Sean P. O’Malley said in a statement. “We hope to facilitate an encounter with God, the Father of Mercy, through the Holy Door and acts of charity towards one another, which, together, remind us of His goodness towards all people.”

The door has been sealed since Nov. 29. It will be reopened at the 11:30 a.m. Mass Sunday in the Cathedral of the Holy Cross’s Blessed Sacrament Chapel in the South End, the archdiocese said.

O’Malley is in Rome this week, so the door in Boston will be opened by Most Rev. Peter J. Uglietto, the vicar general and moderator of the curia for the Archdiocese of Boston.

Jubilee years, which are traditional years of celebration created to bring forth freedom and equality, are usually celebrated at 25- or 50-year intervals.

However, Pope Francis declared this year’s Jubilee — the second anniversary since his election — to inspire the world to have mercy and promote unity among people, according to the statement.

The door will remain open throughout the Jubilee, the statement said. Anyone can make plans to visit the Holy Door, either privately or with a group, by contacting the Cathedral’s office at 617-542-5682.