catholic church statues

I went to mass this morning and saw that the statues throughout the church were covered in marron-colored drapes. Why are they covered?

In many churches, to veil the crucifix and the statues of the saints as soon as Lent began; in order to excite the faithful to a livelier sense of penance, they were deprived of the consolation which the sight of these holy images always brings to the soul.

2008-02-17 11:57:07 by braves0315

http://feeds.feedburner.com/Th atCatho... Episode 5 - Like a favorite family photo album, the Catholic Church uses icons and statues of Saints to ...

I go to a Catholic church, and they cover all statues of Jesus, the crucifix, and the statues of saints in red cloth. I've heard that it is to remind us that Jesus didn't have to die, but I'd rather have a more detailed explanation. And that also doesn't explain why we cover up the saints. Should I cover up my crucifixes at home?

This tradition is most common from the close of Holy Thursday through the Easter vigil and occurs with the removal of the Holy Eucharist from the Tabernacle. It is a visual reminder that we are separated from Jesus and adds to our joy on Easter when we are back in the Presence the Resurrected Christ. Peace.

2009-04-06 14:53:37 by That Other Guy...

Price: $9.95 $9.95

should we prohibit ALL photographs and paintings since they can't seem exist and not be worshiped as God?
I seem a lot of other Christians complaining about our art work, so would they be willing to get rid of theirs too?

The reference below is a 50+ page article by St. John of Damascus. He wrote what is considered the defining arguments that finally won out against the iconoclasts. (Those who wished to be rid of pictures and images.)

"Apologia of St. John Damascene against those who decry holy images."

Several major points include:

1. Only God is to be worshiped.
2. Examples of famous patriarchs of the Jews in the past who bowed to respect others, but did not worship them.
3. How God ordered collections of items to adorn the temple.
4. Forbid the worship due to God alone to objects, people, and idols.
5. In the past we did not know what God looked like; now we have seen Jesus, and the events of His life.
6. Making pictures and icons to help us better remember Him is not worshiping an idol.


I might add that many have been trained incorrectly through no fault of their own. And they train others in the same errors and consider it virtue. It is really quite shocking that people have dreamed up attacks such as seen on these posts. And these are light compared to some I have seen. I am quite clear that the Holy Trinity and Jesus' Blessed Mother who in perfect union with the Spirit brought forth the Savior of the World so that we could be saved are saddened and hurt be these types of attacks. We charitably witness with love, as the Father allowed His son to suffer as those who misunderstood Him killed Him. His ways are so above our ways.

from Preface
by Rt. Rev. Msgr. Fulton J. Sheen, D.D.
There are not over a hundred people in the United States who hate the Catholic Church. There are millions, however, who hate what they wrongly believe to be the Catholic Church—which is, of course, quite a different thing. These millions can hardly be blamed for hating Catholics because Catholics “adore statues”; because they “put the Blessed Mother on the same level with God”; because they say “indulgence is a permission to commit sin”; because the Pope “is a Fascist”; because the “Church is the defender of Capitalism.” If the Church taught or believed any one of these things it should be hated, but the fact is that the Church does not believe nor teach any one of them. It follows then that the hatred of the millions is directed against error and not against truth. As a matter of fact, if we Catholics believed all of the untruths and lies which were said against the Church, we probably would hate the Church a thousand times more than they do....

From Radio Replies Volume 1, first published in 1938

2008-12-26 20:03:00 by bye bye

Price: $8.95 $8.95

this is why I quit that church and why many others are to as well as the child molestations

No offense to any catholics, but their religion is kind of corrupt. A lot of the Pagan converts caused the problem. They brought their heathen customs with them and blended them with their new Christian customs. These practices, such as baptizing babies and worshiping idols, became accepted simply because they were being done. They also used to use idols and stuff like that for teaching tools, but eventually they just started having them in their churches. I don't know if they really worship the idols though. During times of persecution, small groups of Christians gathered around the graves of martyrs to pray and encourage one another. Some Christians began praying to the martyrs even though they knew the martyrs were dead. In time, people came to believe that martyrs were not really dead. They thought God took them to heaven right away. The church kept two days: Sabbath in honor of Creation and Sunday in honor of the resurrection. The church placed more and more emphasis on Sunday worship during the next two hundred years. Sunday acceptance accelerated because pagan converts were more comfortable keeping their old day of sun worship. Eventually the seventh-day Sabbath was dropped.

2007-05-10 18:31:03 by Jesse B

For my rs hw.
Thanks everyone :)

The statues are simply objects to remind us of the holy ones that have passed before us. Many people feel comforted by the depictions of persons as opposed to the vague idea of saints. The statues both beautify the church and remind parishioners of the men and women gone before them, marked with the sign of faith.

2009-02-09 11:56:10 by Mona Lisa