Pope John Paul II will open the holy door in St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican Christmas Eve, ushering in Jubilee 2000.

This symbolic act represents the start of a Holy Year filled with joy... “a celebration of the Lord's goodness...,” said the Rev. Tim Hepburn, pastor of the Catholic Church of St. Gabriel in Fayetteville. ”I'm really excited about it; I'm approaching it in a prayerful way. This isn't a program to be implemented,” Hepburn said, in regard to Jubilee; “it's something God is doing... it's a gift to be received.”

The Rev. John Walsh, pastor of Holy Trinity Catholic Church, stood before the Basilica's holy door, which has remained closed since 1975, last January during a pilgrimage to Rome. He is reminding his parishioners that there are many doors they need to open. “We need to open the doors of our churches; this Christmas at Holy Trinity we are going to make a special effort to welcome those who are visiting with us, and we are asking our parishioners to reach out to those who are new.

“We need to open the doors of forgiveness... take responsibility for some of the hurt we may have caused others,” he added. He also is asking that members “open wide the doors of generosity.”

“There are some doors that cannot be pushed in, cannot be knocked down, cannot be forced. These are the doors to our heart. These must be opened from within,” Walsh said.

Holy Trinity is offering the sacrament of reconciliation all day Wednesday. It's a time when Catholics can confess their sins, receive forgiveness and start the Jubilee fresh, with grace and an open heart. Walsh said prompting forgiveness from a sacramental level will hopefully lead to individuals mending fences within their own families.

The doors of St. Gabriel's are going to be painted a vibrant shade of red, in recognition of the Jubilee, Hepburn said. “We will have a Jubilee blessing on New Year's Day.”

Worldwide, there are 53 official occasions starting with Jubilee Day for Children on January 2 and running throughout the year with recognition of artists, clergy, fathers, mothers, the environment, and host of other groups and issues.

The first Jubilee was celebrated by Christians in 1300 A.D. It was declared by Pope Boniface VIII and repeated every 100 years until later years, when it was observed every 25 years. This is the first millennium Jubilee.

The tradition of Jubilee is derived from Hebrew Scripture which dictated a time to return land to its rightful owner, cancel debts and free the enslaved. In Leviticus 25, people are instructed to let the land lie fallow, answer the call to forgiveness, proclaim liberty and freedom, practice justice, celebrate God's love.

Pope John Paul II said, “The coming millennium must not be considered simply as another step in the passage of time, but as a step in the journey of humanity toward its definitive destiny. The year 2000 is not only the passageway to another millennium; it is the gateway to eternity.

“The true danger is not the passing of time, but spending it badly, refusing the eternal life offered by Christ.”

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