Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua, Archbishop of Philadelphia, will symbolically seal the specially designated Holy Door of the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul (18th Street side) and close the Jubilee Year. The Jubilee Year is a celebration of the 2000th anniversary of the birth of Jesus Christ. Cardinal Bevilacqua will bless and encourage the representatives of 19 different groups to accept the challenge of Pope John Paul II to work for the "new evangelization" in the Third Millennium. (See editor's note)

Sunday, January 7, 2001
11:00 a.m.
Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul
18th Street and Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Philadelphia


The Holy Door, which will be closed prior to Mass, was made especially for the Jubilee Year. It is of white oak and mahogany wood. The coat of arms of Pope John Paul II is on one side of the door and the coat of arms of Cardinal Bevilacqua is on the other side. The door handle pulls have the Jubilee Logo on them, featuring a cross and five doves that symbolize the five continents. The door reminds us that Jesus is the "door" to the Father.

Pope John Paul II will close the Holy Door of Saint Peter's Basilica in Rome on Saturday, January 6, 2001. Jubilee celebrations date back to the 14th century. They mark significant events in the history of the church, but the Jubilee of 2000, is the first in history to mark the passage from one millennium to another.


Editor's note: Groups include those involved in agricultural life, artists, athletes, clergy, those in the consecrated life, craftsmen, those involved in the entertainment world, families, health care workers, journalists, migrants and refugees, military/police/firefighters, those involved in prison life, those involved in public life/officials, scientists, senior citizens, teachers, workers and youth.

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John Cox
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