The Catholic charity Misereor has unveiled the Lenten veil for 2027 and 2028 in Aachen. It is entitled “Journey into the Unknown” and was created by Bruce Clarke, an artist originally from London who now lives in France. The Lenten veil draws on a centuries-old Christian tradition and serves as a central element of the global Church’s educational and pastoral work.
The theme of Clarke’s work centres on a highly topical question: what holds people together when supposed certainties crumble, armed conflicts shake the world, authoritarian forces grow ever stronger and the polarisation of societies intensifies?
In this regard, the new Lenten cloth also sends out a message of hope. “Its core message is: the future emerges where people turn towards one another, dare to connect and support one another,” says Hannah Braucks, education officer at Misereor. “The image thus places a clear emphasis on relationships, responsibility and the hope that moving forward together is possible even under difficult conditions.”
Inspired by the story of Emmaus
Clarke, who became known not only as an artist but also as a human rights activist, drew inspiration from the biblical story of Emmaus when designing the motif. The Lenten cloth reflects experiences of insecurity, social fragmentation and the search for direction, and counters them with a clear perspective: people can build bridges, reach out to one another and find support in each other’s company.
Wide-ranging work since 1976
Clarke gained international attention in particular through his work on the genocide in Rwanda. Through his portraits and public art projects, he commemorates the victims and takes a stand against forgetting. In doing so, he combines artistic expression with social and political engagement.
Misereor’s ‘Hungertuch’ (Cloth of Fasting) has been displayed in many churches since 1976, primarily during Lent. It is used in church services within parishes, increasingly in schools as well, and is shown at travelling exhibitions. In the run-up to the Lenten campaign, groups of pilgrims carry the ‘Hungertuch’ through various regions of Germany.
