PASSIONTIDE: THE COVERED VEIL

Introduction

Passiontide is the name for the final two weeks of Lent, a period of heightened solemnity and focus on the suffering and sacrifice of Jesus Christ leading up to Easter. It traditionally begins on the Fifth Sunday of Lent, historically known as Passion Sunday. It continues through Holy Week and ends on the evening of Holy Saturday.

Gaze Fasting

The most visible hallmark of Passiontide is the veiling of sacred images. Starting on the eve of the Fifth Sunday of Lent, crucifixes, statues, and paintings of saints are covered with plain violet or purple cloth.

Significance

The practice is traditionally linked to the Gospel of John (8:59), which was the historical reading for Passion Sunday. It describes how Jesus "hid himself" when the authorities attempted to stone him. By removing the visual beauty of the sanctuary, the Church invites the faithful to a "fast for the eyes," reducing distractions to focus purely on the internal mystery of the Passion. The physical absence of the images creates a spiritual longing that is only resolved by their dramatic unveiling during the Easter Vigil. 

Historical Origins and Evolution

The roots of Passiontide extend back to the early medieval period, with some elements appearing as early as the 3rd century. Historically, the period was divided into two distinct weeks. In the Roman Catholic Church, the 1969 calendar revision under Pope Paul VI officially merged Passiontide into the general season of Lent. In this modern "Ordinary Form," the Fifth Sunday of Lent is no longer formally called Passion Sunday, as that title was moved to Palm Sunday (now "Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord"). However, many parishes and other denominations, such as the Anglican Communion and Lutheran churches, continue to use the traditional terminology and customs.

Ecumenical Observance

While the core themes remain consistent, different traditions have unique ways of marking the season:

Catholicism: In the Extraordinary Form (Latin Mass), the full traditional two-week Passiontide is strictly observed with specific liturgical changes, such as the omission of the Gloria Patri during certain prayers to reflect a mournful spirit. Anglicanism: Many provinces use special "proper material" for Passiontide, including specific prefaces to the Eucharistic Prayer and seasonal hymns like “Sing, My Tongue, the Glorious Battle”. Lutheranism: Historically informed Lutheran parishes continue to veil crucifixes and statues, emphasizing the "theology of the cross" and the cost of salvation. Eastern Orthodoxy: While the specific term "Passiontide" is Western, the Orthodox Church observes a similar intensification during Great Lent, notably the Saturday of the Akathist during the fifth week.

Spiritual Practices

Passiontide is a time for the "redoubling" of Lenten penances. Common practices include: Many believers increase their physical fasting and abstinence as the Sacred Triduum approaches. Historically, this was a time for Christian rulers to show clemency, releasing prisoners and granting pardons in imitation of divine mercy. Frequent recitation of the Stations of the Cross and the Seven Penitential Psalms is encouraged to unite personal suffering with that of Christ.

Reference

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‌PHOTO

https://es.pinterest.com/pin/126874914485951287/