The Veiling of Passiontide

By Fr Dominic Jacob, CO

Veiling the crucifix and other objects of devotion in our churches during Passiontide is a custom which, to many seems strange. Why veil the image of the crucified Lord at precisely the time when we are being called to intensify our prayers and meditations on this painful subject?

In earlier Christian centuries, the cross did not have the figure of our Lord nailed upon it, but was often beautifully decorated: hence it was considered appropriate to cover it during the time when the Church pondered the suffering and death of her Lord.

Today, we cover the Crucifix to remind ourselves of how “Jesus hid himself and left the Temple” (Jn 8:59), until the “hour” came, when, as our High Priest, he would pass “into the Holy of Holies” (i.e. “within the veil”) offering his own blood for our redemption.

The thought of the cruel suffering he endured is almost too great for us to bear. We are all too aware of the cause of that suffering: our sins. So we turn away from it, only to be forced to face it fully when, on Good Friday, the Crucifix is ritually unveiled during the Liturgy.

As Jesus is lifted up, we are drawn to him, no longer averting our eyes from the unbearable fact of his passion and death. Now we come forward with grateful hearts to venerate the Saviour who loved us to the point of giving his life for us.

(Magnificat, April 2011 issue)