Are Banners in the Sanctuary Becoming the Norm?

[Thomas62408]

This year during Lent, we had a large mostly black banner hanging in the Sanctuary with 3 red stripes. It kind of looked like a painting by Mark Rothko. It seemed to take the place of the purple sash that normally is draped over the Crucifix and the Stations of the Cross. As those were missing.

During Advent, we had these banners with various Old Testament figures. They were line drawings and very cartoonish. Some of the figures that were depicted were Isaiah, Elias, etc. The only way one would know this would be to look at the bulletin and read who they were.

Now I noticed we have a banner that is very colorful, bright and Spring like with lines of blues, oranges, etc.

I find this to be a little too cute and unnecessary. There is so much mystery in our faith, that I find it distracting to be trying to solve such a trivial mystery.

Anyone else noticing this? Is it a trend?

 

[dixibehr]

I’m not objecting to banners as such–it’s a very old custom, actually–though the ones you are describing don’t sound in the best of taste.

But taste and trends in church furnishings have always varied throughout the years.

 

[puzzleannie]

we have banners ceiling to floor on either side of the sanctuary in the liturgical color of the season or feast. makes for a lot of quick changes during Holy Week.

 

[Newbie2]

When I look at some of the old churches downtown vs. some of the newer ones out in the suburbs, it sure looks to me like there’s a need to make the newer ones look different somehow. I don’t know if banners are the answer, but I can hardly see a banner in the older ornate churches that I’ve attended from time to time.