Altar, Ambo and Chair - The most common mistake decorators make is concentrating decorations in this area. The image of the table is too important to lose. The altar cloth should enhance, not obscure this image. The cloth on the top of the altar must be white; however, a runner or drape of the seasonal color can be added as an accent fabric. Strong seasonal visuals in the area around the altar, such as groupings of lilies or poinsettias, tend to reinforce the notion that liturgy is something to watch and not something to take part in. That might be our best reason for finding other spots for these signs of festivity.
The Congregation's Place - In general, put this area on the top of the list of places to receive seasonal decoration. The space over everyone's heads is an area that grabs our attention when we first enter, but after we are seated we can mostly ignore it. It doesn't compete for attention with the liturgy, which makes this space excellent for all sorts of decorations. The other area is lower down, such as the walls. This area makes less of an impact when we first enter the building and is good for decorations that create a mood, such as strips of color or botanical patterns. Pews or chairs can be decked with flowers, not to emphasize the aisle or set apart special seating, but to offer gracious hospitality to the entire assembly. Walls and Pillars can be ornamented with banners and baskets of flowers or branches. This is done to surround the congregation with an atmosphere appropriate to the feast or season. The textures, patterns, and other aspects of the materials are just as important as the color.
Vestibules, Doorways and Outdoors - The church exterior should reflect the mood of our holy days and seasons. Outdoor decorations can be signs of hospitality and neighborliness. Classic decorations for outdoors are wreaths, garlands and bunting. Doorways especially are valuable sites for liturgical action and decoration.
The General Instruction of the Roman Missal makes a single reference to floral decorations in the church when it notes that floral decorations are to be done with moderation around the altar. It does state, however, that flowers are forbidden during Lent.
Built of Living Stones notes that Decorations are intended to draw people to the true nature of the mystery being celebrated rather than being ends in themselves.
The Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy offers this counsel: The liturgy makes distinctions between persons according to their liturgical function and sacred orders .... Apart from these instances, no special honors are to be paid in the liturgy to any private persons or classes of persons, whether in the ceremonies or by external displays.
- Prepare Decorations as a Unified Whole
- Don't Decorate a Mess
- Don't Create a Stage Setting
- Make Ritual Items a Priority
