VATICAN CITY - Priests in St. Peter's Basilica performed the 'recognitio' rite on Monday evening, which prepares the Holy Door for its ceremonial reopening at the start of the Jubilee on Dec. 24.

 The Vatican's Press Office released a statement detailing the events of the 'recognitio', which comes from the Latin term for 'an examination'. What was being 'examined' was St. Peter's Holy Door, which was last opened 8 years ago for the 2016 Jubilee. Priests must ritualistically check that the door is intact and ready to be opened for the new Holy Year. 

 The ceremony was opened with a prayer from the Cardinal Archbishop Mauro Gambetti, before the wall which conceals the door was knocked down, allowing the clergymen to remove the metal box which has been concealed in there since 2016.

 Within the box was the key to the Holy Door, alongside parchment that documents its previous closure, four gold bricks and some historical medals from previous papacies. 

 The box was opened in the Chapter Hall after another moment of prayer directed by Gambetti. Present also was Archbishop Msgr. Rino Fisichella, who is playing a central role in the organisation and execution of the 2025 Jubilee. The celebrations of the Holy Year are expected to bring 35 million tourists to Rome. 

 Archbishop Monsignor Diego Ravelli was also present, and will be responsible for taking the documents and objects from the 'recognitio' ceremony to Pope Francis.

 The same ceremony will take place at various other churches across Rome this coming week, including on Tuesday afternoon at the Basilica of San Giovanni.

 dabj