Veiling of Crosses & Statues
According to tradition, the practice of covering crosses and images throughout the church from the Fifth Sunday of Lent may be observed.
But why?
The Church calls us in these last days of Lent to a renewed focus on the Passion of Christ. Even the Preface of the Mass in these days changes from a Lenten one to one which is centred on the Passion of the Lord.
“During Lent, commencing on Ash Wednesday, the Church begins taking away things from us; no meat on Fridays, the “A” word (Alleluia) is removed from the liturgy, the Gloria is not sung and, eventually, the bells are silenced, the decorations in the sanctuary have disappeared and beautiful images are covered. All these sacramentals are gone, albeit temporarily, as the Church calls us to focus on the Passion of Christ.” (D.D. Emmons)
“The veiling of crosses and images is a sort of “fasting” from sacred depictions which represent the paschal glory of our salvation. Just as the Lenten fast concludes with the Paschal feast, so too, our fasting from the cross culminates in an adoration of the holy wood on which the sacrifice of Calvary was offered for our sins. Likewise, a fasting from the glorious images of the mysteries of faith and the saints in glory, culminates on the Easter night with a renewed appreciation of the glorious victory won by Christ, risen from the tomb to win for us eternal life.” (US Bishops’ Conference)
Crosses remain covered until the end of the celebration of the Lord’s Passion on Good Friday, and images remain covered until the beginning of the Easter Vigil.
(Fr. Damien)