Lent & Crucifixes

[Cesar624]

How come during Lent, there's no Holy Water and all the crucifixes in the Church are covered? I've always wondered about that.

I don't know if the crucifixes are covered yet (yesterday during Ash Wednesday Mass, the crucifixes were uncovered, but there was no Holy Water). When exactly do they cover them? Is it after Ash Wednesday? And what is the significance of this?

Thanks a lot. May everyone have a blessed Lenten Season.

[cappie]

When I was young (quite some time ago!) crucifixes and statues were covered in violet from Passion Sunday, then the sunday before Palm Sunday until Holy Saturday (On Holy Thursday they were covered in white).

The holy water fonts in the church were empty only on Holy Saturday as they were filled with "Easter Water" (the water blessed on Holy Saturday ceremonies)

Today in the Roman Missal it says that the practice of covering crosses and images in the church may be observed,from the 5th Sunday of Lent (the old Passion Sunday) if the bishops conference decides. The crosses are to be covered until the end of the celebration of the Lord's Passion on Good Friday. Images are to remain covered until the beginning of the Easter Vigil.

As it differs from country to country it could be different in America (I live in Australia)

There seems to be no notes on Holy Water

Edited February 26, 2004 by cappie