What kind of flowers should I use when decorating my Mary home shrine?

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MarianCatholic

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Hi,
Im wondering about what kind of flowers that’s normally used to decorate Marian home altars?
I’ve thought of Roses, but Im not sure what to pick.
Does any of you have any suggestion or preferences regarding the subject?

Yours in Jesus and Mary
  • MarianCatholic
 
I should think that at this time of the year (Lent), none would be appropriate.

Outside of Lent… I’d just go with what’s in season, looks and smell nice and that you find pleasing. In spring I do like lilacs though as they bloom in May here and May is the Blessed Virgin’s month, and they really smell nice in my oratory.
 
MarianCatholic said:
Hi,
Im wondering about what kind of flowers that’s normally used to decorate Marian home altars?
I’ve thought of Roses, but Im not sure what to pick.
Does any of you have any suggestion or preferences regarding the subject?

Yours in Jesus and Mary
  • MarianCatholic
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How about lilies?

Easter lilies during Easter season.
 
Bring flowers of the rarest, bring flowers of the fairest, from garden and woodland, and hillside, and dale…

Sorry, I couldn’t resist!

Any flowers will do. If you’re looking for flowers that have symbolism, Google “Flowers for a Mary Garden.”
 
For the May crowning, red and/or white roses are traditional.

Although thanks to modern technology, you could do that year round, at other times of the year, I’m sure people traditionally offered whatever was seasonal.
 
I should add that even Lent has exceptions for certain days that often or always fall within Lent.

6 Liturgical No-No’s During Lent
by Jimmy Akin
The General Instruction states:
  1. During Lent it is forbidden for the altar to be decorated with flowers. Exceptions, however, are Laetare Sunday (Fourth Sunday of Lent), Solemnities, and Feasts.
Click to expand...
I’d venture to say that although any rules for home shrines are less formalized, someone may choose to follow a similar practice regarding exceptions. In particular, the Annunciation is associated with lilies, St. Joseph is also associated with lilies, and although any Marian association with Laetare Sunday is weaker, it is associated a bit with roses.

Since I am posting on April 7 (here), 2014, I should also add that the universal calendar (I’m not looking for or looking through all the local calendars :eek: ) has no more such exceptions between now and Easter.
 
Also, consider adding aromatic herbs associated with The Blessed Virgin such as rosemary. It’s a perennial that smells nice and you can snip off bits for your recipes! 🙂

I love the whole Mary Garden idea and there are dozens of plants that are associated with Our Lady. It can be as simple as a statue on a table with roses to a full on meditative outdoor garden.

Another neat idea, if you’re interested :o, is to buy little statues of The Virgin Mary and put them in a small planter with appropriate plants and give them away to seniors at Easter.
 
Roses of course. The rose has always been associated with Our Lady. Just think the rose ary. The roses out of season that appeared in Juan Diego’s tilma. By the time lent is over it will almost be time for roses. Mine have buds on them already. Norway will likely come a couple of months later though.
 
Thanks for all the answers I’ve received.
I didn’t know that flowers at home shrines during Lent was such a big of a issue, well now I know:)
Also thanks for the link to “Mondays with Mary” JamesTheJust it is a great recourse for my decoration:)
Thanks again for (name removed by moderator)ut everyone:)

Yours in Jesus and Mary
  • MarianCatholic
 
MarianCatholic said:
Thanks for all the answers I’ve received.
I didn’t know that flowers at home shrines during Lent was such a big of a issue, well now I know:)
Also thanks for the link to “Mondays with Mary” JamesTheJust it is a great recourse for my decoration:)
Thanks again for (name removed by moderator)ut everyone:)

Yours in Jesus and Mary
  • MarianCatholic
Click to expand...
There is nothing wrong or inappropriate with putting flowers near your home Marian shrine. There are instructions regarding decorating in church and it is true that during Lent there should be no flowers with the exception of certain feast days, like the Feast of St. Joseph, in which a more simple display of flowers is sometimes used in some parishes. But as far as your home shrine, you are in charge.
 
The color I would pick is, Blue,for is the color of the sky and Our lady wears Blue,and the sea is Blue.
 
Unless one is allergic, Roses. Carnations are also used at times, and many allergic ro roses are not allergic to Carnations.
 
MarianCatholic said:
Hi,
Im wondering about what kind of flowers that’s normally used to decorate Marian home altars?
I’ve thought of Roses, but Im not sure what to pick.
Does any of you have any suggestion or preferences regarding the subject?

Yours in Jesus and Mary
  • MarianCatholic
Click to expand...
Red or white roses. Fake is good too provided they are cleared of dust regularly and still resemble what they represent. We give a bouquet of roses to Mary every time we say a decade of the Rosary. On her birthday and at Christmas Eve, it would be appropriate to present her with a real bouquet.
 
So you don’t think artificial flowers or plants are inappropriate…?
I’ve started feeling a little bit uncomfortable about that - I’m just not lucky regarding plants, I always forget to water them or I water them too much and then they die, so no living plant should be forced to abide with me 😉

Must I worry about insulting Our Lord or the Blessed Virgin by putting artificial plants on my home altar?
 
Amanda_Germany said:
So you don’t think artificial flowers or plants are inappropriate…?
I’ve started feeling a little bit uncomfortable about that - I’m just not lucky regarding plants, I always forget to water them or I water them too much and then they die, so no living plant should be forced to abide with me 😉

Must I worry about insulting Our Lord or the Blessed Virgin by putting artificial plants on my home altar?
Click to expand...
Personally, I don’t like artificial flowers; however, I think rather than be offended, Our Lady would be pleased that you have a home altar!
 
Lily of the Valley! They are sometimes called ‘Mary’s tears’, because they were formed from her tears at the foot of the Cross. Also their oder is like spring-time. :heaven::gopray:
 
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