How to explain the plaines of the alter during lent

[Mperea75]

I am trying to find out how to explain the plainness of the alter to my Fiance. Like there is no flowers on the sancuary, no fancy decorations adoring the crucifix, some churches don’t have holy water at the entrance (eventhough I know this wrong and we should have holy water at the entrance until Good Friday), as well as the purple color of vestments. Any help would be appriciated.

Thank you!

 

[LilyM]

Well, Lent is a sombre and penitential season. Just as we deny ourselves a few bodily pleasures (some food and drink) in order to concentrate on things of the spirit, and grow spiritually, so we deny ourselves some nice but unnecessary decorations, such as flowers and so forth, that can occasionally distract us a little.

After all, Jesus fasted for forty days before beginning his work, and went right out into the desert. I don’t imagine there were plenty of flowers there.

 

[John_Lilburne]

From the 2002 General Introduction to the Roman Missal (GIRM) approved for the USA, which can be accessed from romanrite.com/girm.html :
“305. Moderation should be observed in the decoration of the altar.
During Advent the floral decoration of the altar should be marked by a moderation suited to the character of this season, without expressing prematurely the full joy of the Nativity of the Lord. During Lent it is forbidden for the altar to be decorated with flowers. Laetare Sunday (Fourth Sunday of Lent), Solemnities, and Feasts are exceptions.
Floral decorations should always be done with moderation and placed around the altar rather than on its mensa.”

 

[Andreas_Hofer]

As was pointed out, we fast with all of our senses during Lent.

 

[kaygee]

Jesus was in the wilderness for 40 days – no flowers, trees, nothing much to delight the eye or comfort the senses – in walking through the wilderness with Him during Lent, we, too forego these pleasures in a very small way to unite with Him.