Why does the catholic church remove the statue of Jesus on holy Thursday?

The most solemn time of the Church year begins after the Holy Thursday Mass through Good Friday. After Mass on Holy Thursday the Eucharist is removed from the regular tabernacle and placed in a location removed from the main altar. All adornments of the sanctuary are removed or covered - candle sticks, statues, flowers, etc., and the area remains barren until the Easter Vigil Mass on Holy Saturday. This is done as a form of penance and a remembrance of Our Lord's passion and death.

Prior to Vatican II all statues, including the crucifix, were covered with purple cloth from Passion Sunday until the Easter Vigil Mass. Bells were not rung during Mass, being replaced by wooden clappers. The organ was not played. No flowers or other adornments were allowed in the church during this period. The Church has somewhat softened these mortifications since the 1960s.