On Passion Sunday the sense of mourning is intensified by the veiling of all crucifixes, devotional statues, and pictures–the Church is hiding her glory as she mourns the price of our salvation. The Stations of the Cross, however, remain uncovered; and well so, for throughout Lent, but more so as the Passion is approached, they are one of the chief forms of devotion both for corporate and for individual acts of worship.
During Passiontide, in Masses of the Season, the Glory be is not heard. The Preface of Lent is replaced by that of the Holy Cross which reminds us that the tree of Calvary repaired the damage caused by the tree of Eden: “Who by the tree of the Cross didst give salvation unto mankind; that whence death arose, thence life might rise again: and that he [i.e. the devil] who by a tree overcame, might also by a tree be overcome.”
The words of the daily Masses reflect the approach of the Passion, the Gospel on Saturday in Passion Week ending with the significant words “These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them.” It is he who will regulate the pace of the drama. Tomorrow, but not before, he will go up to Jerusalem; on Friday, but not before, he will ascend the Cross.
Prayer
We beseech thee, Almighty God, mercifully to look upon thy people; that by thy great goodness they may be governed and preserved evermore, both in body and soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.-Collect for Passion Sunday, 1928 Book of Common Prayer
From Lent for Busy People © 2017 Fr. Charles H. Nalls
The Cathedral Close 
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