Doors Open

During my week in Rome last fall I spent time at the Vatican experiencing the awesome architectural power of Bernini's St. Peter's Square for a second time. It was, however, my first visit inside St. Peter's Basilica, the most significant Christian church in the world, so steeped in history and faith, power and intrigue.     

Tonight the eyes of Catholics worldwide (and one blogger) watched one elderly man suffering from a headcold lead a ritual. Pope Francis opened the Holy Door, ushering in a Jubilee Year, a celebration of the Catholic Church which takes place every 25 years. Here's a bit of video, courtesy of Vatican news: hope it stays up for you. This Jubilee is being declared on the theme of Hope. Good choice for our tattered world.

Now I'm no theologian, so my account will fall short, and may offend by its simplicity, so I will refer you to the experts as I am wont to do. But somehow, anticipating this night, and knowing that years of tradition are about to be observed this Christmas Eve, I cannot help but pause and reflect. 

And one thing upon which I reflect is the power of curiosity, of travel, of openess to something 'other'. I spent some time in front of holy door during my visit. It was quite splendid with its bronze reliefs. I was enjoying that pinching myself feeling, that "I am actually here" moment. I had known nothing of this door or this tradition until then, yet today I have been looking forward to following its opening for the Jubilee Year live online.  That "I was there" feeling has expanded my experience, and somehow, me. 

All I know is, a year ago I had never heard of the Holy Door. Yet somehow, just being there has deepened my experience of the world, of my fellow human. And maybe even of hope.

For more of that "I am here" feeling, here's a fascinating video I've just found. It's by Manuel Bravo, a prolific history contributor. Here he describes a collaboration with Microsoft that yields an astonishing personal tour of the virtual basilica.