Purple cloth draped over religious images during Lent as a reminder of our sinfulness — priest

The main retablo of the Our Lady of the Rosary Cathedral in Dipolog City was said to have been designed by the country's National Hero, Jose Rizal, who was exiled in nearby Dapitan City. PHOTO BY BERNADETTE A. PARCO

A few days before Holy Week, one would notice that all the statues of saints and other religious images inside churches are covered with a purple cloth.

Fr. Mhar Balili, the parish priest of the Archdiocesan Shrine of San Roque in Cebu City, explained that the practice started in the first few centuries of Christianity.

"It goes back to the ancient period of the first centuries during the time of the catechumens. Before baptism would take place they have to undergo catechesis for three years, which later was shortened to forty days," he said.

A catechumen is a Christian preparing for baptism while catechesis is religious instruction given in preparation for Christian baptism or confirmation.

"During the catechesis, the whole sanctuary was covered by cloth since they were  not yet member of the Christian family and have no right to see God," he added.

The same purple cloth covers the saints placed at the retablo of the Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Cathedral in Dipolog City.

The retablo is a frame or shelf enclosing decorated panels or revered objects above and behind an altar.

The main retablo of the church was said to have been designed by the country's National Hero, Jose Rizal, who was exiled in nearby Dapitan City.

Balili said the practice of covering up religious images was popular in the 10th century in medieval England and Germany and was known as "Hungertuch" or hunger cloth.

"Today, the images are continued to be covered because we, though baptized, are unworthy to see Jesus because of our sinfulness," he explained. — BAP, GMA News