Lent is the season for sacrifice and internal reflection. Through fasting, alms-giving and prayer, each individual in the Catholic community works towards self-improvement and growth in their relationship with God.
One main aspect of Lent is fasting, which involves giving something up. Campus Minister Kelly Allen says that fasting can look different for every person depending on what would help them to improve.
“I’m trying to fast from eating between meals because I’m looking at what’s my relationship with food? Do I use food as an emotional thing?” Allen said.
Sophomore Sophia Hart says she’s giving up scrolling on her phone before she does her homework.
“I hope to spend less time on social media and actually get my homework done, so I don’t stress out over things I have to do, and then possibly get more sleep in return,” Hart said.
Another major part of Lent is almsgiving, which is giving to help others. What you give depends on what you have. Allen says almsgiving can look like giving money to an organization that supports what is important to you, or giving your time not only in volunteer work, but also in service to the people around you.
“Maybe instead of going to Starbucks a couple times a week, I use my Starbucks money and I support things,” Allen said. “You can also give of yourself and give time.”
The third aspect of Lent is prayer. Prayer is a time to be peaceful and in conversation with God.
“I need to find time to just get out of the business [and] just pray,” Father William Banowsky said.
Though everyone partakes in Lent differently, the season can a stronger community bound by faith and unity.
“As long as I can, at the end of [lent], feel like I’ve had a spiritual refresher, I think I will have benefitted from it,” Father Banowsky said.
For more information about Lent, click here.
