Dubrovnik opened its Doors of Mercy for the first time in history and entered the Jubilee year, the Holy year of Mercy. This big day was celebrated with a Mass in Dubrovnik Cathedral lead by Dubrovnik bishop Mate Uzinic. It was the first time that the Holy doors were open in cathedrals around the world, not only in Vatican.
‘For the first time in the history, we opened ours Doors of Mercy. It is the very important day for us, as we mark 1700 years since the martyrdom of St. Blaise, the patron of our city today’, said Dubrovnik Bishop Mate Uzinic before he announced the start the Jubilee Year in our town.
For those who don’t know the Jubilee year is an exceptional year called by the Catholic church to receive blessing and pardon from God and remission of sins. This tradition began more than 700 years ago. Holy Years of Mercy are usually declared every 25 years unless the Pope decide otherwise. The last Holy Year was declared in 2000 by Pope John Paul II. The next Year was supposed to be in 2025, but Pope Francis decided to announce it earlier in addition to bringing mercy, solidarity, hope and justice to the world. The Jubilee year formally started last Tuesday with a Mass in St. Peter’s Square and by opening the holy door in St. Peter’s Basilica and it will continue until 20th November next year.
