This Sunday, the Fifth Sunday of Lent, traditionally is called First Passion Sunday. The sacred images in our church properly are veiled in purple to heighten the beginning of the Passiontide and the holiest days of the year. They help us further to concencrate upon the commencement of the long-awaited “hour” by means of which the works of our Blessed Lord Jesus expressly are done for us and our salvation. We especially seek to unite our minds and hearts to His with the intention of allowing these holiest of days truly and substantially to be set apart for God.
In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus proclaims for the first time in the story that the hour has arrived (John 12:23).
Crosses are unveiled after the Good Friday ceremonies. All other images are unveiled before the solemn Easter Vigil Mass.
