Vatican II guidelines for interior decoration and furnishing of churches

Build Introduction to Hong Kong church architect

Hong Kong Diocesan Liturgy Commission newsletter August 1991 issue #1
There is no uniform mode of furnishing a church. However, within latitude of individual initiatives, the liturgical spirit
and norms, as defined by Vatican II, need to be adhered to. Thus, in fitting out churches, the priority is for vigorous
simplicity, in order that the main emphases of liturgy are given their rightful place, without distracting the
congregations attention during worship. Furnishing and decoration of church interiors may be reviewed under the
following six headings:
1.

The Altar

The altar is the heart of the entire church, as the Eucharistic feast is a sacred meal, through which the self-offering of
Christ on the cross is reenacted and sustained on earth. Thus, the design of the altar carries with it a dual symbolism:
that of dining table and place of sacrifice. Whenever we gather around the altar to celebrate Christs sacrificial
Paschal meal, we join him in his death and resurrection, and partake of his body and blood; we receive his redeeming
grace, as well as become united as one in him and, having been sanctified, offer ourselves up as living sacrifice. The
altar ought to be expressed as the centre point where Christ is present among us, uniting us with God and our fellow
men. It ought to be holy and solemn, simple and unpretentious, allowing the celebrant to face the congregation as he
celebrates the Mass. Cluttering it with lecterns, wine and water jugs, too many candles and vases, and other
miscellaneous items, is therefore inappropriate, except on occasions when such articles are needed in moderation.
Only the sacrificial produce and book of the Gospels are worthy of a place on the altar; not even microphones and
speakers, as permanent fixtures, because they tend to distract.

Holy Spirit Chapel, Kwun Tong, (now

Church of the Resurrection of Christ)

Chapel of Christ the King,

Refurbished after Vatican II

Church of the Immaculate

Heart of Mary, Tai Po

In Vatican II liturgy for the consecration of a church, a martyrs relic is no longer required to be incorporated in the
altar. If such a relic is already present, by tradition, it should be buried underneath, instead of being inserted into the
altar itself.
2.

The lectern

It is the place where Gods Word is proclaimed. In liturgy, Christ is present among us when we proclaim his Word,

and he talks to us. Hence, the lectern is a sacred and solemn place, reserved for proclamation of the Word and
delivery of homilies. It is not for use by prayer leaders, commentators, choir conductors, or for announcement of other
events. It should preferably be constructed in the same material as the altar and located close to the congregation, in
order that they may feel the presence of Christ whenever Scripture is read.
3.

The celebrants seat

It is from this seat that the celebrant presides over a gathering and leads prayers. Depending on the built form of the
church, it can be suitably located in a prominent place within the sanctuary, to symbolize the presiding role of the
celebrant, in service of the community. It should not be made to resemble a throne in any way.
4.

Position of the faithful

Seating for the congregation should also be arranged with thoughtful care, in order that they are able to watch and
understand the sacred liturgy and actively participate in it. At the same time, seating should also be arranged to
facilitate inter-communication among participants of liturgy, to foster a community spirit.

Fan-shaped seating arrangement, St James

Church, Kwun Tong

A very special seat for the celebrant,

St Lawrences Church

Lectern in granite,
Holy Spirit Chapel,
Kwun Tong

Position of the choir should convey the message that they are also part of the congregation, with the special duty of
leading the whole congregation in singing praise to God. They should not be stationed far away from the altar and the
congregation, such as in a loft.
5.

Baptismal font in the parish church

The baptismal font should be located at the churchs entrance, to symbolize baptism as the first step in the rite of
initiation that we are born again, through water and the Holy Spirit, to become Gods children, entitled to share in
the Eucharistic feast in the Lords presence.

Mobile Baptismal Font at St. Margaret Mary's Church, Happy

Valley

Chi Fu Our Lady of Lourdes

Church

Ideally, the font should be designed with a re-circulating system, as a symbol of Jesus Christ, the everlasting spring
and living water. When worshippers enter the church, dipping their fingers in the font and making the sign of the
Cross, they remember the gift of baptism and purification of their spirits. Similarly, in Mass Centres where services
are held in the school hall, a vessel containing water should be placed at the entrance.
Summing up, as believers enter the church, they pass by the baptismal font and then focus their attention on the
lectern and altar, which play a primary and prominent role, respectively, in the rite of the Word and the Eucharistic
feast. Their place of prominence should not be compromised by other facilities.
6.

Other facilities and decorations

The Tabernacle may be located in a chapel specially designed for veneration of the Blessed Sacrament, or suitably
placed in the sanctuary, in order not to obstruct the faithful from experiencing the presence of Christ in their
community, the celebrant, the Word and the sacrament, during celebration of liturgy.
Table for sacred vessels may be placed in a less prominent within the sanctuary.
Table for sacrificial gifts may be placed in a suitable place inside the church, such as near the entrance or in its midst,
and is used to display gifts, such as bread and wine, which the faithful offer up as part of liturgy.
The cross articulates the mystery of the Passover, as it is celebrated on the altar. A processional cross may be placed
on one side of the altar, or a cross may be suspended above the altar, fixed on a wall behind the altar, or placed on
the altar itself, provided it does not obstruct the view of the chalice and ciborium. The cross need not be a crucifix (i.e.
one with the corpus of Christ). In Eastertide, the Easter candle should be placed on one side of the lectern or altar; at
other times, it may be placed by the side of the baptismal font. Within the church and sanctuary, objects, such as
statues, representing the communion of saints and used for devotion, decorations, flowers, tapestry, etc., are there to
enhance the sacred space of the church and to reflect on the mood of the liturgical cycle and meaning of liturgy itself.
These decorative elements should not be allowed to distract from the main theme. Statues much venerated by the

faithful, especially those with a long history, should be handled with care, while efforts are being made to educate
believers towards a correct attitude of veneration.

Tabernacle, chapel of Shiu

Ming Secondary School

Icon of Mary Theotokos, Church

of the Redeemer, Tuen Mun

Tabernacle, chapel of the

Centre for Catholic Studies

Tabernacle, Church of the

Immaculate Heart of Our Lady,
Tai Po

As a general conclusion, the above norms should be applied with ingenuity and adapted to the characteristics of
particular churches. In whatever ways it is furnished, the church should be designed to give worshippers a sense of
spirituality, a desire for inner refinement, leading them towards encounter with the Lord in liturgy, to serve God in their
daily lives, as described in the Prayer for Consecration of the Altar (see excerpt below). May the Lord help us, that
whenever we share in the Lords feast, we shall be in communion with Christ.
Almighty and eternal Father, you are merciful indeed; you sent your Son to redeem mankind, founded the Church,
and sanctified her with his precious blood. You sent the Holy Spirit to govern and protect her, that she may become a
most holy and spotless spouse, mother of splendorous virtues and, at the same time, the prosperous vine that gives
shade to the earth: the church, with Christ as its foundation stone and built upon the Apostles, to become the Temple
of the Holy Spirit, shining with the glamour of the Lamb and the aspiring Holy City of the living. We pray that this
building, by the same mystery and virtue, may become the sign of the presence of the Church in this place.
Father, we ask you to send the Holy Spirit to sanctify this church and altar, that they may become the sanctuary for
our celebration of the Paschal mystery, and the altar on which we offer the sacrifice of Christ. May those who believe
in you become reborn as your children through baptism in this church; may they receive the inspiration of the Word,
here around the table of Christ, share the food of life, drink the cup of communion and serve you in life with spirit and
truth. Father, may the poor receive mercy here, the oppressed freedom, and all peoples the illumination of the
Gospel, until we all reach the heavenly Jerusalem one day, to share in the banquet of the kingdom of Heaven, and
rejoice in the company of angels and saints. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen.

How can we mention Gods temple and idols in the same breath? Truly,
we are the temples of the living God, as God said, I will live in them
and move among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my
people. 2 Cor 6:16