(photo: Holy Door at Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major, Berthold Werner, 2007)
This article excerpts key points of the address given by Cardinal Archpriest Rolandas Macrickas at the closing of the Holy Door of the Papal Basilica of Sant Mary Major that relate to forgiveness. The key points can help understand what forgiveness is, and how to engage in forgiveness as part of living the Catholic faith.
Vatican News reported the closing of the holy door at the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major on Christmas Day by Cardinal Archpriest Rolandas Macrickas, marking the end of the almost year long Jubilee of Hope in the Catholic Church. During the accompanying mass, Cardinal Macrickas made a key point regarding forgiveness:
Today we saw the Holy Door close, but the door that truly matters remains the door of our heart: it opens when we listen to the Word of God, it expands when we welcome our brothers and sisters, and it is strengthened when we forgive and ask for forgiveness.
Cardinal Macrickas went on to explain that by letting God enter our hearts, can we open the true Holy Door, “that of mercy, reconciliation, and fraternity.”
Please share these words with someone who needs them today.
This text is an original work of its author Tom Delaney and was entirely composed without the use of artificial intelligence (AI).
If your parish or faith community is seeking a deeper experience of forgiveness, healing, mercy, and spiritual renewal, Live and Forgive is here to help. To begin the conversation, email Live and Forgive presenter and facilitator Tom Delaney at tom@liveandforgive.com — he will be glad to connect with you for a conversation. Please type in your email and click “Subscribe” below to stay connected and get Live and Forgive articles delivered to you.
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