Virgin of the Head Sanctuary opens Holy Door for Jubilee Year

The Diocese of Jaén has officially commenced its Diocesan Jubilee Year to commemorate the 800th anniversary of the apparition of the Virgin of the Head. The celebration included the solemn opening of the Holy Door at the Basilica and Royal Sanctuary located in Sierra Morena.

The ceremony was presided over by the Archbishop of Granada, Monsignor José María Gil Tamayo, accompanied by the Bishop of Jaén, Monsignor Sebastián Chico Martínez, and other religious authorities. Following the reading of the pontifical decree, the Holy Door was opened, marking the sanctuary as a jubilee temple and pilgrimage site. This period of jubilee is scheduled to continue until December 8, 2027.

During the liturgy, Monsignor Gil Tamayo emphasized the historical importance of the Marian devotion in the province and urged the faithful to embrace their religious identity. The event was attended by hundreds of devotees, clergy, representatives of various brotherhoods, and civil and military authorities.