What is Passiontide?
According to Catholic Answers,
“Passiontide, the two weeks between Passion Sunday and Easter. The last week is Holy Week, while the first is called by the Latins ‘Hebdomas Passionis’, by the Greeks ‘Week of the palms’ (from the Sunday following).”
Passiontide begins on the fifth Sunday of Lent and extends through Holy Saturday.
Various traditions are associated with this time, one being the veiling of statues, crucifixes, and other sacred objects.
Father Chris Vorderbruggen recently took to X to answer a user’s question on why some churches veil their statues and crucifixes before Easter.
1/12 🧵
— Fr. Chris Vorderbruggen (@FatherChrisVor1) April 8, 2025
Someone recently questioned why, during this time before Easter, some churches veil their statues and crucifixes. “Why isn’t our focus always on Jesus?” they asked. It’s a fair question—but one with a beautiful answer rooted in the depths of Lent and the heart of Christ. https://t.co/Ekp201L5qa
The blanket answer is that it allows us to focus more on Jesus leading up to the resurrection–to venture deeper into the season.
However, the original poster posed the question, “Why isn’t our focus always on Jesus?” implying that the Catholic Church focuses on the communion of saints or the Blessed Mother over Our Lord.
We know this isn’t true, and Father Chris dedicated an entire thread on X to explain the “beautiful answer rooted in the depths of Lent and the heart of Christ.”
Here's the original post Father responded to:
Some of these religious institutions cover their statues this week and next so that the focus is on Jesus alone before Easter.
— 🌷 LIZZIE🌷 (@farmingandJesus) April 8, 2025
It’s almost like say the quiet part out loud in this photo…..
Why is the focus not completely on Christ 365 Days a year? :) pic.twitter.com/9MrPrqYg1H
“What you’re seeing is an ancient tradition called Passiontide,” Father Chris begins.
He adds that most Latin Rite churches cover crosses until Good Friday. Statues and sacred images are veiled until the Easter Vigil. Some parishes veil their statues and sacred images during holy week alone, rather than the two weeks of Passiontide.
Why?
Father Chris Vorderbruggen answers,
“To stir the soul. To prepare the eyes of faith. To let absence preach, in silence, what words often fail to say.”
He continues,
“During Passiontide, veils are drawn–not to conceal Chist, but to ready our hearts for the mystery of His suffering and glory. It’s not that the Church is less focused on Christ during this time. It’s that we are being drawn deeper into Him.
“As the veils fall, the faithful are invited to walk with Jesus in sorrow. The Church withdraws her visible beauty so that we might fix our hearts on the Beauty that is now hidden–bruised, bloodied, and soon to be crucified for love of us.”
He then adds a note about the significance of the veil’s purple color:
“It reflects both penitence and royalty. It reminds us that Christ is King–but a King crowned with thorns. And that before the Resurrection comes the Cross.”
Father Chris Voderbruggen clarifies that it is not a denial of Christ; rather, it is a profound meditation on Him. He explains that by covering sacred images, the Church invites us to rid ourselves of distractions and turn our entire hearts to the Passion of Jesus.
He concludes his thread by saying,
“So yes, the statues are veiled. But no, the Church has not hidden Christ. She has set Him before you–more plainly than ever–in the silence of His Passion.”
This year, my family has decided to veil the sacred artwork, statues, and crosses in our own home. It is a great visual reminder as we await Christ’s holy Passion and Resurrection.