A Holy Door has been opened at Our Lady and St Andrew’s Catholic Church in Galashiels.

No, that isn’t a metaphorical way of describing the run up to Christmas, when we celebrate the birth of Jesus.

It is an actual door - one of many in cathedrals and major churches all over the world, as part of Pope Francis’s Jubilee Year of Mercy.

One of the main entrances at Our Lady and St Andrew’s has been decorated especially – and formally blessed and dedicated as a Holy Door by parish priest Father Kevin Murray at Sunday mass.

Passing through it symbolises the divine forgiveness shown to those who go to confession, according to Archbishop Leo Cushley, who leads the Archdiocese of St Andrews and Edinburgh.

The threshold represents the line between sin and grace - between darkness and light - through what’s nowadays known as the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

For many Catholics, confession is an important part of their preparation for Christmas.

Those who go through the Holy Door afterwards are, during this special year, given an extra blessing known as a Plenary Indulgence.

Confession is available before and after Saturday morning mass in Galashiels – before Selkirk’s Saturday vigil mass – and before Sunday morning mass in Melrose.

The Jubilee Year of Mercy designated by Pope Francis kicked off on the eighth of December – the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, which honours Jesus’s mother Mary.

During this time, the Church is emphasising forgiveness.

Not only from God – but also to encourage us all to be a little more understanding of each other!