Why are the crucifix and the statues covered on the Fifth Sunday of Lent, and not at the beginning of Lent?
There is a custom of veiling crosses and images from the vigil Mass of the Fifth Sunday of Lent-Passion Sunday-and throughout the following period, known as Passiontide. The conference of bishops decides whether this should be done. Variations on this practice include veiling images and crosses after Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday, or removing images and statues from the church. Crosses are unveiled after Good Friday services, and images are unveiled shortly before the Easter Vigil. Stations of the Cross and stained glass windows are never veiled. It was common to veil during all of Lent in the Middle Ages, but has been restricted to Passiontide since the seventeenth century.
