Does Your Church Veil?

[zunshynn]

[quote name='Brother Adam' date='21 March 2010 - 09:23 AM' timestamp='1269184990' post='2076899']
I find that people here tend to call things distracting when they don't like a practice. It is meant to be noticeable, but if you find yourself no longer participating in the Mass you have to ask yourself why. It is an ancient practice in the Church that helps unite the worshiping community to the mystery of the Passion and the highest moment of the entire Church year.
[/quote]

I think you're misunderstanding me. I find it distracting because I don't understand what it's supposed to direct our thoughts to. I realize it's an ancient practice, which is why I'm trying to understand it. WHY and HOW is it meant to help "unite the worshiping community to the mystery of the Passion", is what I'm trying to understand. I think I'm missing what it should be directing me to reflect on, which is why I'm asking. If it was something I just didn't like, case closed, I wouldn't even bother posting in or following the thread.

[Apotheoun]

Below is an example of an epitaphios, which is displayed in Church for the veneration of the faithful on Great and Holy Friday. When people venerate the holy shroud they usually approach on their knees and then kiss the five wounds of Christ, while mediating upon His holy passion, His sacred death, and His glorious resurrection:

[img]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5a/Epitaphios_Blazhko.jpg[/img]

[Nihil Obstat]

Personally, Zeezee, it doesn't appeal to me at all. I consider it a sacrifice. At least now, with Mass meaning something to me (unlike a few years ago). To see Jesus on the Crucifix covered up like that is...... spiritually jarring to me. A spiritual mortification.

[Ed Normile]

[quote name='Nihil Obstat' date='21 March 2010 - 11:00 AM' timestamp='1269187255' post='2076926']
Personally, Zeezee, it doesn't appeal to me at all. I consider it a sacrifice. At least now, with Mass meaning something to me (unlike a few years ago). To see Jesus on the Crucifix covered up like that is...... spiritually jarring to me. A spiritual mortification.
[/quote]


The first time I seen this I was worried if I was in a proper catholic Church, have you ever been to a parish which drains the Holy water founts, I have seen that too.

ed

[Nihil Obstat]

[quote name='Ed Normile' date='21 March 2010 - 10:18 PM' timestamp='1269227921' post='2077320']
The first time I seen this I was worried if I was in a proper catholic Church, have you ever been to a parish which drains the Holy water founts, I have seen that too.

ed
[/quote]
Not sure I know one way or another, actually.
I know Holy Water was removed during the h1n1 scare earlier in the year when Communion on the tongue and from the chalice was suspended.

[Ed Normile]

[quote name='Nihil Obstat' date='21 March 2010 - 10:23 PM' timestamp='1269228207' post='2077325']
Not sure I know one way or another, actually.
I know Holy Water was removed during the h1n1 scare earlier in the year when Communion on the tongue and from the chalice was suspended.
[/quote]


Was this a candian thing? I am from Ohio and during the height of the h1n1 scare I went to Florida and never seen this anywhere.

ed

[Nihil Obstat]

[quote name='Ed Normile' date='23 March 2010 - 12:33 AM' timestamp='1269322404' post='2078210']
Was this a candian thing? I am from Ohio and during the height of the h1n1 scare I went to Florida and never seen this anywhere.

ed
[/quote]
It was specific to every diocese. Some bishops did more, some less, some nothing. My bishop overstepped his authority a bit by forbidding Communion on the tongue, and actually suspended the EF offered by the FSSP because they told him that they couldn't comply.
Luckily that only lasted a week.

[Ed Normile]

[quote name='Ed Normile' date='21 March 2010 - 10:18 PM' timestamp='1269227921' post='2077320']
The first time I seen this I was worried if I was in a proper catholic Church, have you ever been to a parish which drains the Holy water founts, I have seen that too.

ed
[/quote]


I guess I am trying to figure out why this was so offensive to someone? I have only seen this one time in my entire 49 years of going to mass, I travel extensively being a contractor, the one time I seen this was at a church that had both the crucifix covered and some statues as well as the Holy water founts drained, and beleive it or not, pebbles were placed in the founts. Too me it seemed as if I was in some anti catholic church. Now this was my reaction, never having been exposed to such a practise. I have attended mass in 48 continental states, I also have attended mass in niagra falls canada, and also a catholic church in Moosejaw Saskatechewan Canada where my aunt lived, and even once in Montego Bay Jamaica.

If this is so ancient a tradition, somehow it has eluded my notice, so go ahead and lay another minus on me for stating the truth. Try to see it from my perspective, you walk into an unfamiliar church expecting what you always see in other churches you have visited and there are these purple cloths covering the crucifix and statues, you wonder what the heck is going on, do not even see a stations of the cross, then as you leave the standard Holy water founts have been drained and there is little pebbles in them? Another day another minus, makes me feel so welcome here.

ed

[AccountDeleted]

Well, on Passion Sunday I walked into the church and saw that every statue and both crucifixes (the gold one on the altar and the large wooden one near the front of the sanctuary) were all draped in purple, including the statues at the back in the corner. The holy water font still has water in it though. The only statue that couldn't be covered however was a life-sized one of Jesus showing His Sacred Heart because it is in a little alcove behind the altar, so high up that it is nearly at the ceiling. I am so glad, because I love to look at Him. I understand the symbolism, but I do miss the large crucifix. I think that Tenebrae will be very sombre indeed when all the candles go out.

[laetitia crucis]

[quote name='Ed Normile' date='23 March 2010 - 02:49 AM' timestamp='1269323374' post='2078216']
I guess I am trying to figure out why this was so offensive to someone? I have only seen this one time in my entire 49 years of going to mass, I travel extensively being a contractor, the one time I seen this was at a church that had both the crucifix covered and some statues as well as the Holy water founts drained, and beleive it or not, pebbles were placed in the founts. Too me it seemed as if I was in some anti catholic church. Now this was my reaction, never having been exposed to such a practise. I have attended mass in 48 continental states, I also have attended mass in niagra falls canada, and also a catholic church in Moosejaw Saskatechewan Canada where my aunt lived, and even once in Montego Bay Jamaica.

If this is so ancient a tradition, somehow it has eluded my notice, so go ahead and lay another minus on me for stating the truth. Try to see it from my perspective, you walk into an unfamiliar church expecting what you always see in other churches you have visited and there are these purple cloths covering the crucifix and statues, you wonder what the heck is going on, do not even see a stations of the cross, then as you leave the standard Holy water founts have been drained and there is little pebbles in them? Another day another minus, makes me feel so welcome here.

ed
[/quote]


I do not understand how your comment deserved a minus either. (So I gave you a +1 to fix it.)

Anyhoo -- actually, in regards to the Holy water fonts being dry, in two dioceses that I have lived in, the practice of draining the holy water fonts during Lent is common here. During my archdiocesan liturgist training program a few years ago, this was explained in reference to Christ being in the desert for 40 days and 40 nights. I wish I could remember the exact reasoning behind it, but at the moment this alludes me. (My apologies. )

We also veil all of our statues and crucifixes from the 5th Sunday of Lent onward.

[IgnatiusofLoyola]

I'm really surprised to read that not all Catholic churches veil statues, crosses, etc from Good Friday to Easter Vigil. I just assumed they all did. Showing my ignorance.

Edited March 24, 2010 by IgnatiusofLoyola

[Ephrem Augustine]

found our friary chapel with veils over the crucifix and image of our Lady.

[elise]

I've been to a lot of churches, some very traditional, some very modern and have never seen a veiled statue or crucifix. I will have to see if our new parish does.

[aalpha1989]

I agree with zunshynn. I don't understand the tradition. My parish veils everything, and of course I think we should follow tradition, but... I don't get it.

[Resurrexi]

[quote name='aalpha1989' date='24 March 2010 - 12:10 AM' timestamp='1269407446' post='2078848']
I agree with zunshynn. I don't understand the tradition. My parish veils everything, and of course I think we should follow tradition, but... I don't get it.
[/quote]

I can understand veiling the images of the saints in order better to help us focus on the Passion and Death of Christ during this season of Passiontide, but I really don't understand why the crucifixes are veiled. Isn't the purpose of the crucifix to help us in meditating upon our Lord's Passion, which is what this season is for?

Edited March 24, 2010 by Resurrexi