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5th Sunday of Lent A 2026, ‘Passiontide’

Now in ‘Passiontide’, these last two weeks of Lent provide a deeper appreciation of the Cross in our life. We keep the custom of veiling the crosses, images and statues with purple covers. The cross is covered until the Solemn Commemoration of the Lord’s Passion on Good Friday, and the other images are covered until the Easter Vigil.

Why is this done? The crosses are veiled because Christ, during this time, no longer walked openly among the people but hid himself (c.f. John 8:59). And we observe the Passion Veiling to stir our soul, preparing the eyes of our faith for the reality of the Cross on Good Friday. We allow the absence of these images to preach, drawing us deeply into the mystery of Christ’s death and resurrection, immersing ourselves fully into his suffering and glory.

By withdrawing the beauty of these images, ‘Passiontide’ invites us to walk with Jesus in his sorrow and to fix our hearts on His beauty now hidden, bruised, bloodied, and soon to be crucified for love of us. There is significance in the veil’s colour (esp. the Roman Purple in the Vestments), reflects both penitence and royalty, reminding us that Christ is a King but not of this world and that our access to the Kingdom is via our participation in the life of the cross.

By now, our diaries should be prioritising our participation in the Sacred Paschal Triduum:
• 8pm Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper (Maundy Thursday 2nd April)
• 3pm Commemoration of the Lord’s Passion (Friday 3rd April)
• 8pm The Easter Vigil in the Holy Night (Saturday 4th April)
Other: 9.30am Blessing of Easter Baskets (Sat. 4th April), followed by Confessions at 10am.

Stations of the Cross:

Sundays at 3.00pm in St Joan’s Church.

Wishing your every blessing. Fr. Simon.