Opening the Holy Door: Hope-Filled Scripture Reflections from St. Peter's Basilica - Paperback

by Joan Watson (Author), Deacon Greg Kandra (Foreword by)

The Door Has Closed. The Invitation Endures.

The Jubilee Year of Hope may have drawn to a close, and the Holy Doors of Rome may now be shut--but the grace they signify is not bound by a calendar. What the Church celebrated in 2025 was not a moment confined to history, but a living invitation: to conversion, renewal, and hope rooted in Christ.

During that extraordinary year, pilgrims from around the world crossed the threshold of St. Peter's Basilica, marking a time of profound spiritual renewal for the Church. The canonization of Blessed Carlo Acutis, the first millennial saint, and the historic election of Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope, coincided with a remarkable resurgence of faith--especially among young people rediscovering the beauty and depth of Catholicism. Though the Jubilee has ended, its fruits continue to unfold in the lives of believers everywhere.

Opening the Holy Door invites you to step into that ongoing story.

Whether you were able to make a pilgrimage to Rome or experienced the Jubilee from afar--or whether you're encountering its meaning for the first time--this book offers a deeper encounter with the heart of the Catholic faith. Scripture teacher and veteran Rome tour guide Joan Watson leads you panel by panel through the sixteen bronze images of the Holy Door, revealing each as a chapter in the great story of salvation. Through prayerful insight and biblical reflection, she shows how your own life is woven into God's continuing work of redemption.

Along the way, you will:

• Encounter angelic messengers--from the loss of hope in Eden to its fulfillment at the Annunciation.
• Return to pivotal moments in Christ's life, from his Incarnation and Baptism to his Passion and Death.
• Step into scenes of healing, repentance, and faith during Jesus's earthly ministry.
• Recognize yourself in the weaknesses and transformations of Christ's followers, from Peter and Thomas to Saul's dramatic conversion.
• Meditate on the gifts of the Holy Spirit--the true Giver of Hope--who continues to draw us into a living relationship with God.

Even with the Jubilee year behind us, the meaning of the Holy Door remains before us. Opening the Holy Door helps you reflect on the enduring significance of that sacred threshold and connects your faith to the people, stories, and promises that have shaped Christians for centuries.

This is more than a guide to a moment now past--it is an invitation to ongoing renewal. The door may no longer be physically open, but the call to step more deeply into the life of the Church still stands.

Author Biography

Joan Watson--a Catholic speaker, writer, and podcaster--is the associate editor of Integrated Catholic Life and the pilgrim formation manager for Verso Ministries. Watson earned a bachelor's degree in history from Christendom College and a master's degree in theology and Christian ministry from Franciscan University of Steubenville. She has worked for the Church and various religious apostolates for more than fifteen years. She is the founder of Living 1 John 1, an online community dedicated to helping Catholics pray and love scripture. Watson lives in South Bend, Indiana. joanwatson.faithFacebook @joaninordinarytimeInstagram: @joan.m.watsonYouTube: @joanwatsonTwitter: @joannie watson
Greg Kandra was ordained as a deacon for the Diocese of Brooklyn in 2007 and most recently served as a senior writer at the Catholic Near East Welfare Association. He is the author of A Deacon Prays, Befriending St. Joseph, and writes The Deacon's Bench blog.