The Great Cover Up
Traditionally the fifth Sunday of Lent marked the beginning of Passiontide. From that point forward the Church watched and waited as the forces of evil pressed in on Jesus. The cross loomed on the horizon as Jesus resolutely set his face toward Jerusalem, and his impending crucifixion.
Since the revision of the General Roman Calendar in 1969, the name Passiontide is no longer used for the last two weeks of Lent. The First Sunday of the Passion became the Fifth Sunday of Lent. And the Second Sunday of the Passion became Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord. This is the order we have followed for more than fifty years, the only order most younger Catholics have ever known.
Several things remain with us from the Passiontide tradition. On the 5th Sunday of Lent, and on the weekdays that follow, we use Preface I of the Passion of the Lord. And on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of Holy Week we use Preface II of the Passion of the Lord. These two liturgical prayers offer us a rich meditation on the place of the cross in salvation history.
The Passion Prefaces are beautiful, but most Catholics never notice their subtle presence in the Order of the Mass. They do notice the other remnant of Passiontide, the covering of all crosses, statues and sacred images on the 5th Sunday of Lent. Crosses remain veiled until after the Celebration the Lord’s Passion on Good Friday. Statues and images of Jesus, Mary and the Saints are uncovered at the Solemn Easter Vigil.
Many people wonder ... What’s the reasoning behind this veiling of crosses and statues? The fact that they are compelled to ask, is in fact, the answer to their question! This ancient practice makes us stop and think. It lifts us out of our normal routine, and focuses our attention on the heart and center of our Catholic Faith, the death and resurrection of the Lord.
The purple veils produce a high sense of anticipation. They are a reminder to prepare our hearts for the events of Holy Week and the glory of Easter Sunday. When the cross is uncovered on Good Friday, we come face to face with God’s sacrificial love for the world. When statues and sacred images are unveiled at the Easter Vigil, we see the glory of the resurrection shining in the faces of Mary and the Saints. We see our own eternal destiny unveiled!
The covering of crosses and statutes is a tradition that could be adapted for home use. On the Fifth Sunday of Lent, the beginning of Passiontide, cover the prominent religious images in the various rooms of your house. It’s a beautiful tradition to pass down to our children. They will be fascinated by it, and it will make this time of the year truly special for them.
On the Fifth Sunday of Lent we will cover all statues and crucifixes in St. Clement Church. Not everyone will be able to attend, but no matter what happens, the mysteries of our faith will be celebrated. I encourage you to make Passiontide part and parcel of your family preparation for Easter. Don’t let this wonderful opportunity go to waste.
