You may notice that the Crucifix and/or some statues or images have been covered. The Roman Missal states: “…the practice of covering crosses and images throughout the church from [the fifth] Sunday [of Lent] may be observed. Crosses remain covered until the end of the Celebration of the Lord’s Passion on Good Friday, but images remain covered until the beginning of the Easter Vigil.”
Why? Because starting the Fifth Sunday of Lent, we have entered into a period of time known as “Passiontide,” that is, the period of heightened anticipation as we approach “Passion Week,” more commonly known as “Holy Week.”
The idea of veiling or “hiding” images of Christ (and other images of Saints and Angels) comes from a verse in the Gospel of John. While Jesus was in Jerusalem tensions heightened between Jesus and his opponents who wanted to kill him and, “…they picked up stones to throw at him; but Jesus hid and went out of the temple area,” (John 8:59). While the Gospel narrative is moving towards the climax of Christ’s Passion, “His hour has not yet come” (John 7:30). Thus the veiling evokes for us Jesus making Himself scarce, and hiding Himself until He is made very visible at the time of His Passion and Death on the Cross.
The veiling of images during this time, especially during Passion Week or Holy Week is also meant to focus our attention on the words being said at Mass. When we listen to the Passion narrative, our senses are allowed to focus on the striking words from the Gospel and truly enter into the scene.
But this veiling of images, of course, is not meant to last forever. Easter is then the great “revealing,” the great “unveiling” when Christ is revealed again triumphant in the full force of His Beauty and Glory! Easter reminds us that one day the great veil of our exile from our heavenly homeland and the veil of death will be lifted. It reminds us of the tearing of the Temple veil, revealing that God’s inner life and holiness is now opened to us, and we are drawn up into the heavenly holy of holies, because of the Triumphant work and victory of Christ!
Peace,
-Fr. Kevin
PS: March 25th is the Feast of the Annunciation when we remember the angel Gabriel appearing to Mary to tell her “Behold you will conceive in your womb and bear a Son.” And she responds “Be it done unto me according to thy word.” Certainly seems an odd time of year to think about that…but the reason being that March 25th is exactly nine months before December 25th. So on March 25th, we commemorate Jesus’ conception, so that nine months later we can celebrate His birth!
