VEILED STATUES IN HOLY WEEK
For many years it was the
tradition that when someone died at home, the person was laid out and the
mirrors and statues were covered over with a cloth.
During Holy Week, the
statues and crucifixes in the church will be covered with veils made from light
purple cloth with no decoration. This is a sign that the Church is, in a sense
in mourning, rather than the usual beauty and brightness that the statues
bring. You will find further accurate information on this tradition here.
It should be remembered
however that this outward sign of covering the statues and crucifix has a
purpose, which is to focus the mind on the passion and death of
Christ.
PERSONAL NOTE
On a personal note, for many
years in my parish the statues were removed altogether. In more recent years
they have been covered, although with a change of parish priest, I experienced
the former form in more recent times again. My personal preference is for
the statues to be removed as it creates a sense of emptiness and bareness and
assisted me to think specifically on the passion and death of Christ. My
usual visit to my favourite saint's statue had to be denied in Holy Week, but
it made the return at Easter more delightful.
May you focus on the passion
and death of Christ during Holy Week.
