Flowers

by Paul Turner

Flowers may draw attention to some object or to the sacred space they occupy. If your church has a gathering area between the front door and the worship space, a large floral arrangement on a central table may greet you as you enter. Some churches keep vases of flowers near statues of beloved saints, in wall niches or on shelves. You may also see flowers adorning the altar, ambo or font.

Flowers can draw attention to themselves, but they should not distract people from the sacred objects they adorn. For example, the top of the altar should be free from flowers, lest they vie for attention with the bread and wine. If placed before the ambo, they should not obstruct anyone’s view of the reader.

Floral arrangements need not be restricted to the sanctuary or devotional spaces. Flowers may decorate the area where the assembly gathers. But such arrangements should not block access to the sanctuary or the aisles of the church.

Some occasions call for special decorations. Advent wreaths, evergreens, palm branches and lilies evoke the mysteries of the liturgical year.

At weddings and funerals, flowers cheer the heart and comfort the soul. When arranging decorations for these events, be mindful of those already in place for the season. During Lent, for example, many churches prefer to keep the sanctuary rather bare.

Real flowers always support worship of the Creator better than artificial flowers do.

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Copyright © 2001, Resource Publications, Inc. 160 E. Virginia St. #290, San Jose, CA 95112, (408) 286-8505. This article may not be reproduced in any form without permission from the publisher.  For permission e-mail info@rpinet.com.
Paul Turner, pastor of St. Munchin Parish in Cameron, MO, holds a doctorate in sacramental theology from Sant' Anselmo University in Rome.