Posted on 03/31/2015 3:42:44 PM PDT by walkinginthedesert
The veiling and covering of statues during the last part of Lent is something that Strikes many people the first time that they see it. It is something that definitely struck me as well when I first saw this liturgical practice. Lately many people have been asking me about the practice, such as where did it originate, is it a traditional practice, what is the significance and many other things.
It is my understanding that the Bishops’ Conference decides whether this practice will be used as the norm or not. Here in the United States it is my understanding that it is not usually done. Nevertheless there are many religious orders and institutions such as the Norbertine Fathers, and many others who are exempt from the oversight from their local bishop and who report directly to Rome. For this reason they can freely do this practice regardless of the decision of a particular bishop or conference of bishops.
The origins, significance and practice of veiling and covering
This practice is said to have German origins. The Hungertuch (hunger cloth) hid the altar entirely from the faithful. This practice can thus be said to have originated in the Early Church. This practice was however normalized around the Middle Ages in which it was not only the Cross but also various other things such as the statues of saints, relics icons which were veiled as well.
In the Catholic Source Book Peter Klein states that this practice originally starts on the fifth Sunday of Lent.
“It has long been the tradition in the Church to cover all crucifixes, statues, and icons in purple cloth from two Sundays before Easter to Good Friday. Traditionally, the Fifth Sunday of Lent, one week before Palm Sunday, was called Passion Sunday or Judica Sunday after the first word of the Introit: "Judge me, O Lord..." (see Psalm 43). The veiling referred to the closing words of the Sunday's Gospel, "They picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple" (John 8:59). The Lenten veil expressed the sorrow of the Church at this time.1For this reason although it is not entirely explicit in the Novus Ordo (The Ordinary Form) the readings for the fifth Sunday of Lent in the Traditional Latin Mass (Extraordinary Form) specifically apply to the start in which this practice is celebrated. The Gospel as Peter Klein states in the above mentioned book is about the Passion of Christ in which Jesus is being accused by the Pharisees of being possessed by the devil. After Jesus makes it clear that he is the Son of God by saying that he knows the Father and that he glorifies the Father and the Father glorifies the Son (Jesus Christ) the Jews then begin to stone Him and so Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple.
Similarly the Introit (entrance) during the Fifth Sunday of Lent in the Traditional Latin Mass is Psalm 42 (43) called the Judica me which perfectly fits in with the Gospel reading.
Do me justice, O God, and fight against a faithless people; from the deceitful and impious man rescue me. For You, O God, are my strength. Send forth Your light and Your truth; they shall lead me on and bring me to Your holy mountain, to Your dwelling place. Do me justice, O God . Furthermore for this reason the practice of veiling and covering the Cross and the various other things which are covered, is that it symbolizes the Church now officially mourning for Our Lord. Monsignor Elliot states “ The custom of veiling crosses and images has much to commend in terms of religious psychology, because it helps us to concentrate on the great essentials of Christ’s work of Redemption.” 2
On Holy Thursday “Maundy Thursday” the veil on the Cross is changed from purple to white. It is then completely removed after the Solemn afternoon liturgy of Good Friday.
Notes
What Yeshua came to do away with man re-encumbers ...
It is in my parish, but then my parish priest is from Malta.
Conservative-Anglican Diocese of Central Florida.
It seems to me to be a ‘borrowed practice’ from the Hebrews’ ‘sitting shivahs’ (as i heard it spoken).
Saw it for the first time tonight in my parish church.
It is to put the focus on what Jesus did in His passion, to remember it.
Thank-you for this article and God Bless.
I have no problems with differing Christian faiths and their liturgy. It’s like “why” to me ... He did it all and there’s no need to add to His sacrifice for us. When He said “It is finished” He was talking about the Law. The Law is no more. He laid out the only thing we had to do and that was: Love G-d with all you heart all your soul and your neighbor as yourself. On this hangs all the Law. That’s it. One thing. Period. Nothing else.
My parish does this during Passiontide (Passion Sunday to Good Friday).
Plus obey the 10 Commandments as well as the 2 Great Commandments as well.
I also view the next to the last Final Words of Jesus, “It is Finished” to also mean that His laying down of the foundation for the new covenant to be done.
What I see by the covering of the statues, icons, etc., as well as not using music istruments during the Easter Tridiumm from the end of the Gloria on Holy Thursday to the begining of the Gloria on Holy Saturday simply as a reminder not only to REMEMBER and NEVER FORGET what Jesus did on the Cross for love of our souls, but as a reminder of the reality that first followers of Jesus were by today’s standards traditional Jews who simply mourned for Our Lord during those three days.
PFL
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