Q. Is there a Church source I can refer to regarding flowers in the sanctuary—particularly, large arrangements blocking views of the altar, and use of fake/artificial flowers, potted plants etc.?
A. While it might not always be readily apparent to non-Catholics (or some Catholics) one of the hallmarks of the Roman Rite of the Latin Catholic Church is “noble simplicity.”
Compared to the Rites of the Eastern Catholic Churches, the Roman Rite is brief and austere. The noble simplicity that the Church intends in the Roman Rite is meant to eliminate any superfluous elements that can become distractions from the centrality of the Eucharistic Sacrifice.
Because the Roman Rite is marked by noble simplicity the General Instruction of the Roman Missal, the legal document that governs the Mass for the Roman Rite, makes clear that this noble simplicity is to be reflected in the decorations within a church of the Roman Rite. “Church décor should contribute to the church’s noble simplicity rather than ostentation” (GIRM n.292).
This applies to all aspects of church décor, including flowers. “Floral decorations should always be done with moderation and placed around the altar rather than on its mensa [altar]” (GIRM n.305). While the use of “should” in English may lead one to think that this is simply a suggestion and not a command, the next paragraph of the GIRM makes explicit that only those things which are necessary for the celebration for the Mass may be placed on the altar. Since flowers are not necessary, they are not to be placed on the altar.
Flowers are also forbidden to be used to decorate around the altar during the season of Lent. Solemnities and feast days that occur during Lent, as well as Laetare Sunday, allow for the use of flowers to decorate around the altar. This is because, as a general rule, decoration should always be marked by “moderation suited to the character of the season” (GIRM n.305).
All ornamentation and decoration present in churches are to be used only in so far as they lead those present into a deeper encounter with our Lord in the Eucharistic Sacrifice. If they become sources of distraction or draw attention away from the centrality of the Mass, then they are not to be used.
Floral arrangements should never block the altar or become obstacles to the normal celebration of the Mass (GIRM n.295). The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops in the document Built of Living Stones, a document that is not legally binding, but nevertheless provides clear guidance from the U.S. Bishops with regards to the construction, layout, and decoration of churches, says very clearly that “The altar should remain clear and free-standing, not walled in by massive floral displays” (Built of Living Stones §124). While this is not strictly binding on Catholics, the reasoning is sound and should be followed.
The General Instruction of the Roman Missal seems to assume that any flowers that are used to decorate the sanctuary are living, though this is not explicitly stated. Built of Living Stones states that “The use of living flowers and plants, rather than artificial greens, serves as a reminder of the gift of life God has given to the human community” (Built of Living Stones. §129). While not a strict command, again, the reasoning is sound and should not be dismissed out of hand simply because it is not strictly binding. Living flowers are the clear preference of the church and all reasonable effort should be made to make use of them instead of artificial flowers.
This question was answered by Father Caleb La Rue, chancellor of the Diocese of Lincoln. Write to Ask the Register using our online form, or write to 3700 Sheridan Blvd., Suite 10, Lincoln NE 68506-6100. All questions are subject to editing. Editors decide which questions to publish. Personal questions cannot be answered. People with such questions are urged to take them to their nearest Catholic priest.
