PDDM Poland: Second Edition of the Floral Arrangement Workshops
On August 22 and 23, 2026, the second edition of the floral arrangement workshops was held at the House of the Sister Disciples of the Divine Master in Warsaw (11 Żytnia Street). The course included both a theoretical component (biblical-liturgical formation) and a practical component (creating floral arrangements under the guidance of an instructor). Both beginners and professional florists participated.
The workshops aimed to teach the art of floral arrangement for liturgical spaces (churches and chapels), based on specific themes such as Sundays, solemnities, and liturgical seasons. Consequently, the sessions followed a carefully planned structure:
Lectio divina based on the Sunday Liturgy of the Word: Choosing plants and designing arrangements in harmony with the liturgy of a particular Sunday requires, first and foremost, reading and meditating on the Word of God appointed for that occasion. Therefore, the course began with a communal lectio divina led by Sr. M. Beata Kozłowska, pddm.
A presentation on the meaning of plants and gardens in the Bible: Flowers in the liturgy are not merely decorative; they also serve as an element of catechesis. It is therefore important for a florist to understand the symbolism of plants and the biblical meaning of the garden. Sr. M. Aleksandra Szyborska, pddm, guided the participants through the books of the Old and New Testaments, always maintaining this perspective.
Presentation on liturgical space and the role of flowers in Church documents: Arranging a sacred environment requires knowledge of the fundamental guidelines established by official Church documents, as well as an understanding of compositional principles that help the faithful enter into the mystery of Christ. Sr. M. Izabela Łapińska addressed this topic using concrete examples, including quotations from the Magisterium and photographs of her own floral arrangements.
Creating floral arrangements: The practical part of the course consisted of workshop activities. Sr. Anna Maria Kurek explained the entire process of preparing the foundation for a floral arrangement (container, floral foam, adhesive tape, etc.) and assembling the arrangement itself, including techniques for cutting, positioning, and selecting plants to create a harmonious composition. Afterwards, each participant independently created their own arrangement under the guidance of the instructors—Sr. M. Izabela, Sr. Anna Maria, and Sr. M. Ancilla. The arrangements were intended for specific areas of the chapel and church, where they were placed once completed. Afterwards, participants were able to use the remaining materials to create an arrangement in their preferred style and take it home.
Finally, a consultation with a liturgy expert: At the end of the course, participants had the opportunity to ask questions and seek advice on liturgical matters that are currently the subject of discussion and debate. The guest for this session was Sr. M. Iwona Kopacz, consultant to the Subcommittee for Liturgical Ministry of the Polish Bishops’ Conference. She concluded the event by presenting the participants with certificates of attendance.
We invite you to the next edition of the course, scheduled for September 26–27, 2026. For more information, visit www.pddm.pl
