Why are images veiled during the last two weeks of Lent?

It has become a custom to veil AM at MCB. the images during the last two weeks of Lent. This customary practice hails from the former liturgical calendar in which the Passion was read on the Fifth Sunday of Lent (hence called “Passion Sunday”) as well as on Palm Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday of Holy Week, and Good Friday.

Hence, the period following the Fifth Sunday of Lent was called Passiontide during which the Lenten reflection is focused on Christ in his work of Redemption achieved through his passion, namely, his suffering, which ended in death on the cross. The custom of veiling the images has evolved to help Christians in concentrating on the great essentials of Christ’s work of Redemption which are contained in the Passion narrative read during the Passiontide.

During the Passiontide, therefore, the Lenten devotion should focus on Christ’s passion that worked out our Redemption. Consequently, we should set aside for the moment our devotion to the saints and veiling their images is a reminder for us to direct ourselves to the supposed focus for the remaining weeks of Lent.