The Environment For The Services Of Lent

Planning the visual environment for worship requires understanding the liturgical needs of each individual service of the season. This article examines each service and presents particular ways to express the themes of Lent through the visual elements of worship and space.

Environment for liturgy during the Lenten season should enhance the liturgical worship of the community. It is important to keep the environment in proportion to the space used. Too large a banner for a small chapel will detract, and too small a nosegay floral arrangement in a large basilica will lose its impact. Plan your service and then reflect on how best you can use the space to enhance the prayer experience of the community. The liturgy should always flow; so don't plan or create situations in which the action must be stopped or interrupted to prepare for the next part of the service. If at all possible, a theme should be used to keep the Lenten season unified. Variations on the environment help to add variety and yet cohesiveness in the overall design and experience of prayer. John Foley, S.J., has written a song entitled "Wood Hath Hope." And certainly the wood of the cross is our reminder of salvation and our personal invitation to transformation. Wood hath hope When it's cut, it grows green again nd its boughs sprout green again Wood hath hope. As a unifying theme for Lent, this image is helpful to recall when to planning the environment. For Ash Wednesday, the environment should be forceful, yet simple and striking, while not overstated. Ask a carpenter in the community to fashion a large wooden cross out of four-inch by four-inch pieces of redwood or similar wood. The cross should be about five feet tall. In the sanctuary suspend the cross above the altar; it may be kept there for the entire Lenten season or placed in a stand off to the side for subsequent Sundays. Or, it can be used in the procession each Sunday, or as a focal point for the Scripture readings during each Sunday of Lent. From the suspended cross, drape a piece of purple cloth (about thirty-six inches wide and eight yards long). Drape the cloth over the left arm of the cross, allowing it to hang and cascade down to the right hand corner of the altar, and then to the floor and out toward the congregation, providing there is enough material. The altar should be covered with a floor length off-white material. The lectionary may be placed on a stand on the altar where the purple drape meets the altar. In front of the altar (or close to it) place a rectangular flower box—about six inches in height and almost the length of the altar. In this, place twelve to eighteen dark blue irises, to form a single row, each should be equally spaced allowing the leaves to form a cross-work pattern. This will achieve an effect of simplicity and reverence. The choice and arrangement of flowers help to set a mood. It is also important to create a place for the ashes and not just have them appear out of nowhere. In the space in front of and to the left side of the altar, place a three-foot square cube and cover it with a deep purple cloth. The ashes for distribution can be stored behind the cube. On top of the cube place a brazier filled with glowing coals. During the Liturgy, incense may be added to the charcoal fire, thus bringing the senses of sight and smell into the prayer experience. In front of this set a small wicker basket filled with six white irises or a bunch of white fuschias in contrast with the purple cloth. The celebrant and ministers of ashes should be dressed in suitable vestments of purple or shades of purple to contrast and/or complement the other purple used. The first Sunday of Lent in Cycle A uses the account of creation of our first parents and their fall to sin. Thus the use of the image of verdant green wood, cut down, is appropriate for this Sunday and the following ones. A large piece of driftwood with a central cavity will be instrumental in creating the effect of the transformation the Lenten season brings about. If not driftwood, another substantially shaped tree root will do as well. This should be cleaned up and placed in front of the altar, a focal point for each Sunday in Lent. On the second Sunday of Lent plant a small amount of greenery in it. Gradually, our transformation is beginning to take effect as symbolized by this seemingly lifeless piece of wood. The Gospel reading (Matt. 17:1–13) reinforces this idea. On the third Sunday of Lent add more greenery—perhaps a potted plant in front of or behind the dry wood. This Sunday the predominant image is water and the life it gives. Hopefully our growth continues, as does the dry wood's. The fourth Sunday of Lent is traditionally known as Laetare Sunday. Around the driftwood add more greenery and some flowers—blue irises to represent the Passion time and calla lilies to look forward to the Easter event. The flowers and greenery may be arranged behind and in front of the driftwood to vaguely suggest a cross. This Sunday might be an appropriate time to use the song "Wood Hath Hope" in the liturgy—to renew our hope in the wood of the cross just as Jesus renewed the faith of the man born blind in today's readings (John 9:1–41). Each Sunday the large wooden cross may be used either in the procession or placed in a stand off to the side and draped in purple. On the fifth Sunday of Lent introduce a simple purple banner of a solid color and a simple pattern of gold leaves in a swirling pattern. These banners will help to give height to the sanctuary area. Gradually each Sunday builds upon the preceding one to lead up to the great Easter event. In planning liturgies, remember to pray also with the eyes. Use texture, variations on color schemes, heights and depth. These aspects can only enhance an already prayerful experience.