Veiling the Mystery: Passiontide: Why the Church Covers the Cross Before Easter This Homily explains the Catholic tradition of covering statues and crucifixes . . . . . . during the final part of Lent, known as Passiontide. The veiling symbolizes the Church’s recognition that we do not yet fully understand the mystery of Christ’s cross and passion. The action of covering — and later unveiling — represents a spiritual journey from blindness to sight, ignorance to understanding, and distance to intimacy with Jesus. Hear more within the media. The Church emphasizes that while humans often think they know and understand Jesus, true knowledge of Him requires humility and openness. The passion readings reveal this struggle, with examples like Jeremiah’s persecutors, the divided crowd confronting Jesus, and Nicodemus — a figure caught between belief and doubt. Ultimately, the cross acts like a key: only through its mystery can we unlock a fuller understanding of Jesus, His mission, and our faith. Listen to this Meditation Media. Listen to: ------------------------------------------ Image: Veiling the Mystery: Passiontide: Why the Church Covers the Cross Before Easter Notice the purple coverings of the Cross and other icons on the altar. ------------------------------------------ Gospel Reading John 7: 40-53 First Reading Jeremiah 11: 18-20