Lent a time to Pray, Fast, and Give
Next Wednesday, March 5, is Ash Wednesday, which begins the Christian Season of Lent. An ancient practice dating back to the eighth century, on Ash Wednesday Christians humbly approach the altar, hear the priest or minister say, “Remember you are dust and to dust you will return” or “Repent and believe in the good news,” and have their foreheads marked with ashes. With these solemn words the Lenten season begins, characterized by prayer, fasting, and almsgiving in preparation for the Easter season.
Pray
Campus Ministry offers many opportunities for prayer during the Lenten Season.
- On Sundays, Mass is celebrated at 11 a.m., 6 p.m. and 9 p.m., and the Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered at 5:15 p.m. and 8:15 p.m.
- There will be a student-led Reconciliation Service for the entire community on Tuesday, March 11, at 8 p.m. Also, students gather to pray the rosary on Sundays at 8:15 p.m. in the Arrupe Campus Ministry Center.
- During the week, prayer opportunities include Eucharistic Adoration with student-led reflections on Tuesdays at 9 p.m. in the Jesuit Community Center Chapel.
- On Wednesday afternoons, there is an opportunity to study scripture with a soup luncheon from 12:45 to 1:30 p.m. in Campus Ministry, and Taize prayer at 8 p.m.
- Thursday will continue to be a day for silent prayer from 4:15 to 5 p.m., with a candlelight liturgy at 9 p.m. in the chapel.
- For those busy students who want to go deeper into their own self-understanding and their relationship with God, the Daily Busy Student Retreat is a great opportunity.
Fast
In addition to abstaining from meat on Fridays during Lent, the Church encourages participants to consider giving up something else as well, such as candy, drinking, technology (Facebook), or consider something else that distracts us from our relationship with God.
Give
Lenten liturgies begin on Ash Wednesday with services at 8 a.m., 12:10 p.m., 4:15 p.m., 6 p.m., and 9 p.m. in Egan Chapel. At these Masses, Campus Ministry will distribute Solo cups containing a card with information about the many opportunities for prayer, fasting, and almsgiving throughout Lent.
The Solo cups will also contain information about the many people who go without basic food and shelter, and ask for contributions to aid Catholic Relief Services. Students will also be encouraged to participate in Hunger Clean-Up on Saturday, April 12, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Campus Ministry hopes the campus community and those of all faiths will take advantage of the many opportunities for prayer, fasting, and almsgiving this Lent.
View the Lenten Season events.
Visit