Dear Good Samaritans,

If you were at the church for our Shrove Tuesday pancake supper or one of the Ash Wednesday services yesterday, you likely noticed that the reredos looks a little bit different. It has fabric covering it. It is a longstanding tradition within Christianity that during Lent different items are veiled. Sometimes it is statues or icons, but one of the most dramatic is the use of a Lenten Array, also known as a Lenten Veil, Lenten Shroud, or by its German names, a fastentuch or hungertuch. No matter what name you use, it is a large cloth used to cover a church’s reredos, altar, or even the entire chancel (which encompasses both).

The veils in more Germanic areas historically have been more elaborate, with one or more scenes from Christ’s life painted on them. In Britain these veils became simpler. They were often made of unbleached linen fabric, called Lenten array. A notable example is at Westminster Abbey in London. Here, each year, the reredos behind the high altar is covered in a profound way, cutting off the intricate and elaborate art from view. You can see this in the image below.

These veils hit their height of popularity in the medieval period. However, they have been making a steady comeback ever since.

In our case, I have draped strips of cloth over the reredos, partially obstructing it from our view. These pieces, while not covering the reredos completely, are a nod toward this tradition. The purple is the liturgical color for lent, while the white is an unbleached linen, Lenten array color. Each piece is hand torn and imperfect. Essentially this technique visually and practically creates a cover from what could be burial cloths—an apt image as we embark on our Lenten journey toward the cross with Jesus.

It is a sabbath of sorts, removing something familiar from view. Even when it is something cherished and beautiful, changing up how and what we can see has an impact. I have already noticed that when I stand in the back of the church looking forward, the covering on the reredos breaks up the color and patterns just enough for my eyes to wander. And, I find them guided up toward the cross made of the beams above the reredos.

I hope that this medieval-tradition-made-new helps to provide new ways for you to see and appreciate the beauty and wonder all around us.

Peace,