Catholic students on campus are celebrating Lent in their own ways, with students opting to add something to their lives whereas most opt to take something out.
Lent is the forty-day season in which Catholics throughout the world partake in different forms of prayer and fasting leading up to the celebration of Christ’s resurrection at Easter.
Political science sophomore Sam McMahon added some opportunities for prayer into her Lenten ritual.
“I took on going to adoration three times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at Holy Name of Jesus Adoration Chapel and the Ignatian Chapel on campus. It has been really nice spending significant, dedicated time with Jesus, but it’s been a little bit difficult making the time to actually go,” McMahon said.
McMahon first decided to go on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 8 o’clock in the morning, but found difficulty with waking herself up so early on Fridays. Instead, she elected to go to adoration on Wednesdays in the Chapel of St. Ignatius.
“It’s been worth it so far; I’ve increased dedicated prayer and my understanding of my relationship with Jesus,” McMahon said.
Since Lent began McMahon has noticed some personal changes, observing that she’s a lot calmer and introspective. She attributes these changes to the dedicated prayer time she’s implementing, as a form of guided meditation.
Biological science freshman Alonna Lujan also opted to add time for meditation into her Lenten journey for this year.
“For Lent I decided to add at least twenty minutes of reading/listening to scripture. It has been a little trickier than I anticipated to fit in focused quiet time while classes are requiring more and more of my attention, but I always appreciate that time a lot,” Lujan said.
Despite the trickiness that she anticipated, keeping up with this dedicated time for scripture is going well, which she expected from the beginning.
“I feel more grounded since Lent began. It’s definitely a time to reflect on the sacrifices Jesus made for us, and to be grateful for services others have done for us as well. That’s always very humbling,” Lujan said.
For the rest of the season, Lujan hopes to be able to recommit herself to doing service for others, including her friends, professors, and even strangers.
Freshman political science major Saige Berthelot wanted to make her Lenten journey about pouring into herself spiritually instead of strictly giving something up.
“I’ve taken on praying the rosary at least once a week and going to confession at least once during this lent season. With school and obligations, this can be tricky. However, God always finds a way for you to find him and come back to your intentions,” Berthelot said.
As a student at a Catholic university, Berthelot expected her Lenten journey to be very fulfilling, and it is matching up just how she thought it would. The reason in large part is because of the supportive community and staff around her to help her in strengthening her spiritual life.
With that guidance, Berthelot has noticed that she’s become a lot more patient this Lenten season.
“I’ve noticed I have become more patient with others. Being in touch with yourself and your relationship with God really helps you to be a better person to your peers,” she said.
Through the rest of Lent, Berthelot wants to commit herself to resetting and maintaining the positive mindset she gained from mass on Ash Wednesday.
“Mentally, I was in a good headspace in the beginning of Lent and I want to continue to commit to that to be a better Catholic this Lent[en] season,” Berthelot said.
