Why are images veiled beginning on the fifth Sunday in Lent? Traditionally, the two weeks of Passiontide begin on the fifth Sunday of Lent. The first week is Passion Week, and the second week is Holy Week. 

The traditional Gospel reading for this Sunday focuses on the increasing hatred against Christ from the Jewish authorities. They accuse Him of being a Samaritan, sorcery, blasphemy, and as being possessed by Satan. They don’t think that Christ is “a good teacher.” They think He is a demonic agent.

The old Gospel reading for Passion Sunday (fifth Sunday of Lent) from the eighth chapter of Saint John’s Gospel ends with these words:

“They took up stones therefore to cast at him. But Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple.” (John 8:59, D-R)

According to Saint Augustine, at this moment when “Jesus hid himself,” Christ in fact became invisible by virtue of His divine nature. Saint Augustine writes:

To help signify this mystery, Catholic statues and images are veiled with purple cloth beginning at the Vespers on the evening before Passion Sunday. The statues remain covered until the Gloria of Holy Saturday. This is the moment at which the fast of Lent ends and the glory of Easter begins. This unveiling reveals that Christ has revealed himself as risen and victorious.

It’s also a pious custom for lay Catholics to cover blessed images and statues at home during Passiontide with purple veils.

Our Catholic Faith is so rich!

HT: Fr Phil Wolfe for the St Augustine reference.