Q: Throughout Advent, we have had two Advent Wreaths within the Nave of the Church. One was hanging above the pews over the center aisle, with battery operated candles that stayed lit 24/7, for the appropriate week of Advent we were in. At the bottom corner step of the altar was a second Wreath, that was lit by a family before each Sunday mass.
The reasoning behind having 2 wreaths is that few people could see the wreath at the altar steps, and the pastor insisted a wreath be lit before mass by a family.
It was the pastor who approved the hanging wreath. A member from Arts and Environment insisted LTP’s “Sourcebook” said this was ok and the pastor approved it. I could find nothing regarding 2 advent wresths in “Sourcebook”, but I know the pastor did approve having both wreaths.
Yes, this is trivial, but how do 2 wreaths “enhance” the liturgy? I hve had visiting priests who help with Sunday masses ask me about this and they laugh. Should this bother me?
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A: GIRM 318 says there should be only one image of any saint. It says nothing about wreaths, but the basic principle holds: It’s best not to duplicate symbols.
That said, the pastor has reasons for the second wreath—it involves a family, it provides a focal point near the sanctuary, and it uses natural candles rather than battery-operated ones.
Up to you, but—though I wouldn’t recommend it–I’d probably let it go.