Lent immediately brings up thoughts about the end of Mardi Gras festivities, the sacrifice of giving something up for 40 days, and the placing of ashes on people’s foreheads.
To many, this may not have any significance, but to others, it means a great deal.
The end of the Mardi Gras season marks the beginning of the Lenten season for Loyola and surrounding Catholic communities.
Lent is the season of spring-cleaning for the soul after Mardi Gras.
“It’s a time we seek to purify ourselves and to detach ourselves from worldly things to encounter God,” said Ken Weber, associate chaplain of liturgy and music.
Many tend to overindulge during times such as Mardi Gras, and this hinders their spiritual missions. The reflection of Lent allows those people to focus on strengthening their spiritual relationships through prayer, penance, sacrifice and good works in preparation for Easter, the celebration of Christ’s resurrection.
“The whole purpose of Lent is to prepare for Easter,” said Weber. “At Loyola, we believe that every human being, regardless of religious tradition or creed, has a spiritual component to their being.”
As a Jesuit university, Loyola takes pride in its community of diverse faiths. Lent is not used to impose Christian beliefs on anyone. As a matter of fact, Lent shares similar aspects of fasting and personal spiritual reflection with the Islamic and Jewish faiths in the observances of Ramadan and Yom Kippur, respectively.
Loyola welcomes Catholics as well as non-Catholics to participate in the upcoming events.
The Office of Mission and Ministry will begin to offer many services and programs for such reflection beginning in March.
For those that will be present on campus, regular Sunday Mass will continue to be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. and 9 p.m. Opportunities to receive the sacrament of reconciliation will be available in the Manresa Den at 8:15 p.m. before night Mass on Sunday, and the Latin Mass in Holy Name of Jesus Church will be held April 3 at 9 p.m.
Other options for spiritual growth include the Lenten Retreat in Daily Life and the Lenten Series: Sacred Words and Sacred Music.
The Lenten Retreat in Daily Life is a three-week program starting March 21 that closely resembles the Ignatian spiritual retreats. Participants take time out from their typical routines for daily prayer and spiritual guidance to focus on seeking God in all things.
The Sacred Words and Sacred Music series, held every Wednesday night during the Lenten season, will bring in guest speakers and musical groups to help reflect on the goodness of God.
“Our Lenten programs offer a way for Christians to nurture that relationship in preparation to celebrate that most holy of days, and they may offer our non-Christian students an invitation to reflect upon the spiritual dimension of their lives in whatever language or context they choose,” said Weber.
Sable Lefrere can be reached at
Signs on campus proclaim the start the of the Lenten season. Lent is a time when Catholics medidate on the life of Jesus for 40 days. (WADNER PIERRE/Photo Editor)
