In the heart of Manila, the historic Quiapo Church stands as a spiritual anchor for countless Filipino Catholics, especially during the sacred season of Lent. On April 6, 2025, which marked the fifth Sunday of Lent—known as Passiontide—the church observed a centuries-old tradition of veiling statues and images in purple cloth, signaling the approach of Holy Week. This visual shift, rooted in the Catholic Church’s call for penance and reflection, transforms the atmosphere of worship, drawing the faithful into a deeper contemplation of Christ’s suffering.
A Symbol of Spiritual Fasting
For Catholics worldwide, Lent is a 40-day period of sacrifice and introspection leading up to Easter, commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. In the Philippines, where Catholicism is deeply woven into the cultural fabric, the season carries profound significance. Practices such as abstaining from meat on Fridays—often replaced with fish or mung bean dishes—and forgoing personal comforts are commonplace. Yet, beyond personal acts of sacrifice, the church itself undergoes a transformation during this time. Celebratory hymns are omitted from the Mass, replaced by a more somber tone to foster solemnity. 
At Quiapo Church, one of Manila’s most iconic religious sites, this shift becomes strikingly visible by the fifth week of Lent. The veiling of statues and images, draped in purple to symbolize mourning and penance, serves as a kind of “fasting for the eyes.” This tradition, observed in Catholic churches globally with origins traced back to the 9th century, encourages worshippers to focus solely on the Passion of Christ—the central narrative of Holy Week, which culminates in Good Friday and Easter Sunday.
A Practice Steeped in History
The custom of veiling is not merely a local ritual but one enshrined in the Roman Missal, the Catholic Church’s official guide for liturgical celebrations. While the practice is optional, churches that adopt it must do so on the fifth Sunday of Lent, marking the start of Passiontide, the final two weeks of the season. At Quiapo Church, this meant that on April 6, 2025, the sacred images that typically inspire devotion were shrouded, redirecting attention inward. The cross, a focal point of reflection, remains veiled until after the Good Friday liturgy, while other statues are uncovered just before the Easter Vigil, symbolizing the triumph of resurrection.
This ritual, though ancient, resonates deeply in a country where faith shapes daily life. Quiapo Church, home to the revered Black Nazarene statue, is a pilgrimage site for millions, especially during the Traslación procession each January. During Lent, however, the mood shifts from fervent celebration to quiet reverence, with the purple veils serving as a poignant reminder of the season’s gravity.
Community and Continuity in Faith
For the parishioners of Quiapo Church, the veiling is more than a liturgical detail; it is a shared experience that binds the community. Amid the bustling streets of Manila, where vendors sell religious icons and devotees queue for blessings, the church offers a sanctuary of stillness during Lent. The absence of joyful hymns and the sight of veiled statues create a space for personal and collective reflection, a counterpoint to the city’s relentless pace.
As Holy Week draws near, the faithful at Quiapo Church and beyond prepare for the most sacred days of the Christian calendar. The unveiling of the cross on Good Friday and the images before Easter Vigil will mark a transition from sorrow to celebration. For now, though, the purple cloths remain, a quiet call to meditate on sacrifice and renewal in the heart of Manila.
