Monday, March 21, 2016

Veiled Statues in Holy Week.


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.


Sunday, March 6, 2016

Rejoice in the Lord always- 4th Sunday of Lent


LAETARE SUNDAY


How is your Lenten journey progressing?  
Are you feeling weary and ready for a little break?

In Lent, we have the tradition to have a mid-Lent break, (the half way point of Lent), which is known as 'Laetare' Sunday derived from the latin 'to rejoice'. Liturgically we break away from the Lenten penitential spirit of the purple vestments to the wearing of rose-coloured vestments by the priest and/or deacon.  These rose-coloured vestments are only worn twice a year, so from a practical perspective, some parishes do not have a set, but use lighter purple vestments.

LET UP SUNDAY


The fourth Sunday of Lent is also known as 'let up Sunday' because we 'let up' on our Lenten penance. It can be a timely reminder for those of us who may have struggled through Lent so far.  I remember thinking during one of my disastrous Lents that we had reached the mid-point, and I had not got started.  It is an excellent time to review how our Lenten journey and tweak it accordingly.  Never too late to start and/or start again.