The color purple—is a color of penitence and it also calls us to consider our lives in an open and very honest way: “as a Catholic Christian, if I were taken before a secular court, would I be convicted as a Catholic Christian?” What does my Christian life comprise? What do I do each day—how do I live my life—that tells the world that I am a disciple of Jesus Christ? In prayer, we can come to an honest answer.

Why do we cover the Crucifix and statues in the Church? When does this happen? It has been the custom of the Roman Church, at least in modern times (we mean from the 17th Century forward), to veil the crosses and the images of the saints from the 5th Sunday of Lent until Easter. This has been, and ought to continue to be, one of the defining characteristics of the season of Passiontide. The Catholic Encyclopedia describes this custom as follows: “Before Vespers of Saturday preceding Passion Sunday [i.e. the 5th Sunday of Lent] the crosses, statues, and pictures of our Lord and of the saints on the altar and throughout the church, with the sole exception of the crosses and pictures of the Way of the Cross, are to be covered with a violet veil, not translucent, nor in any way ornamented. The crosses remain covered until after the solemn denudation of the principal crucifix on Good Friday. The statues and pictures retain their covering, no matter what feast may occur, until the Gloria in Excelsis of Holy Saturday.” However, it is noted that the statue of St. Joseph may remain uncovered, if outside the sanctuary, during the month of March, which is dedicated to his honor. Of course, this practice is no longer mandatory in the Novus Ordo, but it is certainly permitted. However, if the custom is to return to popularity, it will be necessary to come to some understanding of the meaning behind the veiling. Why does the Church veil the cross in these final days of Lent, a time when she is most intent on meditating upon the Lord's dolorous passion?

As you think about these questions and seek to make sense in your personal life about how the answers are applicable in your personal life, you might want to try something new this Lent to help assess your spiritual life. Consider reading about our parish’s Lenten Works of Mercy and participate in them. It might seem a small thing to do—involving yourself in a parish-wide activity—but in the Big Picture, you will be participating in a corporal work of mercy and helping to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ, and you won’t have to do it all on your own. Strength in numbers! Please see the bulletin each week to see how our parish will employ the Lenten season to make the Kingdom of God present now. It is, after all, in service of those less fortunate than ourselves that we become Christ to others.