Ash Wednesday marked the start to the Lenten season. Creighton has several opportunities and activities available to help students and members of the community make the most of their Lenten experience.
Lent is the 40 days, or approximately six weeks before Easter when many Christians reflect, repent and fast to prepare for the Resurrection of Christ on Easter Sunday.
On Wednesday, ashes were distributed at Catholic masses and ecumenical services throughout the day at St. John’s Church.
Pastor and member of the Campus Ministry team Keith Kozak explained the importance of Lent in the Catholic Church.
“The whole tone and meaning of the liturgical life of the Church is contained in Easter and the Easter season,” Kozak said. “Therefore, we prepare for the greatest feast of the church as we celebrate Lent, a time of preparation.”
According to Kozak, some changes have been made inside of St. John’s to recognize this solemn time in the church. The gold candlesticks and decorations have been removed and replaced with iron and darker metals. There is also a large cross in the entry of St. John’s to remind people of the sacrifice Jesus made for each of us.
Activities during Lent include the following: extended Thursday reconciliation times, Divine Mercy Chaplet, Stations of the Cross, Eucharistic adoration and more. Throughout Lent there will be a 20 minute Lenten Prayer with the Gospel of the Day every Wednesday at noon in Criss Chapel.
Different organizations on campus are providing reflection opportunities. Creighton’s Online Ministry is hosting “Praying Lent” to help those wishing to better engage in the Lenten season. According to the 2015 Creighton Lenten flier, this website provides audio and video resources, along with printable offerings.
Campus Ministry is hosting “Exploring Our Catholicism: A Retreat on Discernment” at the Creighton Retreat Center March 20-21. This retreat will focus on gathering the knowledge to make important life decisions. Campus Ministry is also hosting a Lenten Discernment Series on Sundays at 7:30 p.m. This series will discuss what discernment is, how to listen to God during Lent and how people and events help one to grow.
Member of the Catholic Students Organization (CSO) Arts & Sciences senior Anna Ferguson remarked on Creighton’s involvement in Lent.
“Through various programs and opportunities for prayer and reflection put on by Campus Ministry, the Catholic Students Organization and the Creighton Center for Service and Justice, Creighton encourages students to go beyond passively participating in Lent and to go deeper with it,” Ferguson said.
Lent holds a different meaning and significance to each individual. Ferguson expressed her perception of this religious season.
“To me, Lent is a time to focus on my relationship with God. It’s about looking at what might be keeping me from growing closer to Him and how, with His help, we can grow in relationship together,” Ferguson said.
During this time many individuals give up a luxury, try to deepen their relationship with God or do an extra service they normally would not do. This is done to reflect the 40 days Jesus spent in the desert fasting and praying.
Kozak highlighted the purpose of Lent and how individuals try to embrace this purpose.
“Lent is a season of conversion — we acknowledge the ways we have turned away from God in our lives and we focus on turning our hearts and minds back toward God,” Kozak said. “We do this through prayer, fasting and almsgiving.”
Ferguson explained what she plans on doing as part of her Lenten promise.
“This Lent I feel called to focus on trusting in God more, so I’m going to pray a Divine Mercy Chaplet, which focuses on asking for, and trusting in, God’s mercy every day and also read reflections from a book called I Believe in Love,” Ferguson said.
While not everyone decides to give something up during Lent, Kozak discussed how he receives fulfillment in doing so.
“I believe that giving something up can truly help me to appreciate the true abundance and graces that I am giving in my life,” Kozak said. “And from my experience, a small positive change can have a big impact that lasts beyond the 40 days of Lent.”
For more information on how Creighton is celebrating the Lenten season visit Creighton’s Online Ministry’s website at http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/Lent.