Veiling of Crucifixes, Statues, Images

[Gabriela]

Does anyone do this in their home, or is it only in churches?

[Archaeology cat]

I did it at home this year, in part to teach my children about the practice. 

[Pia Jesu]

My grandmother--an armchair church historian--told me that altars (in Germany) were also covered by a large purple cloth during Passiontide (the last 2 weeks of Lent).  I also remember her chagrin when the Second Vatican Council recommended stopping the practice of veiling crosses, statues, images, etc.!  She was pleased to see (before her death) a revival of the practice in the church she attended. 

The tradition--dating from the Middle Ages--is still alive.  And although the processional and sanctuary crosses are covered (during Holy Week) in my parish, the symbolism is pretty much overlooked and not discussed.  Glad to hear that you are doing this at home, Archaeology!

[veritasluxmea]

The current parish I go to for mass doesn't do this. is it mandatory? 

[Nihil Obstat]

I believe it is an optional rubric. Although they may not be veiled before Passiontide as I understand it.

While optional, it is a worthy tradition.

[veritasluxmea]

^Agreed. Maybe I'll politely ask why other churches veil or something, just so they're aware some people like veiling. 

[Nihil Obstat]

I used to be at a parish that veiled all through Lent. That was unpleasant. Also removed all the holy water, because apparently that makes sense to some people.

[Archaeology cat]

Yeah, I hate when the holy water is removed. Thankfully my parish doesn't do that. 

 

[beatitude]

Almost every church I've been in has followed this custom. I appreciate it, and find it a very meaningful aid to prayer during Mass, but I wouldn't do it in my own home. It's a tradition I associate with public liturgical worship, not private devotion, and I think that covering up my crucifix and images in my little prayer corner would be disruptive for my prayer life. I like to do some mental prayer there each morning and I don't want to get out of that routine.

[Nihil Obstat]

Yeah, I hate when the holy water is removed. Thankfully my parish doesn't do that. 

 

​I have heard about places where they fill the holy water fonts with sand. Frankly that is just mockery.

 "Or what man is there among you, of whom if his son shall ask bread, will he reach him a stone?"

[beatitude]

​I have heard about places where they fill the holy water fonts with sand. Frankly that is just mockery.

 "Or what man is there among you, of whom if his son shall ask bread, will he reach him a stone?"

​I found this in a parish I was visiting once. I dipped my hand into the stoup and was surprised to come out with sand, not having heard of this before. I thought it must be another stand for votive candles that looked a bit like a water stoup, but couldn't see any water anywhere else either. It was several months before I learned that some churches do this, which bemused me - how are you supposed to bless yourself with some sand?

[Nihil Obstat]

​I found this in a parish I was visiting once. I dipped my hand into the stoup and was surprised to come out with sand, not having heard of this before. I thought it must be another stand for votive candles that looked a bit like a water stoup, but couldn't see any water anywhere else either. It was several months before I learned that some churches do this, which bemused me - how are you supposed to bless yourself with some sand?

​Hah, what are you, some kind of anti-Vatican-II hillbilly? How quaint, thinking you can actually bless yourself with water. Good thing we are much more enlightened these days.

[dUSt]

My parish veils the statues in purple cloth.

[Gabriela]

Okay, a few questions:

1. Is it forbidden to do it at home? Arch, your post suggests it's totally okay.

2. When should it be done? The Magnificat says it began yesterday, but that some parishes wait till Palm Sunday.

I want to do it at home, but I think it'll seem more meaningful to me if I wait till Palm Sunday.

Don't wanna do anything unkosher, though...

[puellapaschalis]

It's the last two weeks that are Passiontide, not just Holy Week. The readings shift focus and everything. So it seems to me to be fine to veil things this week too.

[Nihil Obstat]

Okay, a few questions:

1. Is it forbidden to do it at home? Arch, your post suggests it's totally okay.

2. When should it be done? The Magnificat says it began yesterday, but that some parishes wait till Palm Sunday.

I want to do it at home, but I think it'll seem more meaningful to me if I wait till Palm Sunday.

Don't wanna do anything unkosher, though...

No rubrics govern your own practice.

Passion tide makes the most liturgical sense though.

[marigold]

I really enjoy reading about Catholic liturgics and rubrics

[HopefulHeart]

My parish began veiling crucifixes and statues this past Sunday. I've never thought about doing it at home, probably because, as beatitude said, I associate the veiling more with public worship. It is an interesting idea, though, maybe something to consider for the future.

In looking up the practice of covering crosses and statues, I came upon this interesting historical detail at this EWTN article:

It probably derives from a custom, noted in Germany from the ninth century, of extending a large cloth before the altar from the beginning of Lent. 

This cloth, called the "Hungertuch" (hunger cloth), hid the altar entirely from the faithful during Lent and was not removed until during the reading of the Passion on Holy Wednesday at the words "the veil of the temple was rent in two." 

That's some fascinating Biblical symbolism!