This past week, students celebrated Ash Wednesday. Ash Wednesday begins the season of Lent and reminds people to confess their sins in a hope to do better in their relationship with God. It is a way for people to remember that “you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” These words are said by the priest while placing ashes in the shape of a cross. It reminds people of their humanity and that God is much greater than their struggles here on Earth.

Normally, the community of Assumption would celebrate Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent as a whole community. However, this year, Ash Wednesday fell in the middle of Mission Week, with students doing different activities at different locations. Therefore, at Assumption, two prayer services were held to help accommodate the differing schedules of students. Juniors were out in the community at job shadows to better understand their future careers. They were encouraged to attend a service on their own to join in receiving ashes. Some seniors had the opportunity of going on Mission Trips to Cincinnati, Washington D.C., Appalachia, or in Louisville. These seniors attended mass with their group. No matter where rocket students were, the devotion for Ash Wednesday was reflected through the community.

With Ash Wednesday commencing the Lenten season, many may choose to sacrifice or add something to their life in attempts to become closer with God. By doing so, they model Jesus in the desert resisting temptation and fasting for 40 days and 40 nights. Lent is meant to be a time of reconciliation and forgiveness, and sacrifice is a way to show that you are ready for change.

While most people chose to give up things like chocolate, soda, and cake, it is important to remember why you are giving something up in the first place-to better your relationship with God. Some things in our society today that may keep someone from that relationship are social media, gossiping, and shopping or praising material items. Other ideas for sacrifices may include staying away from things that put others in harms way. For example, you may choose to stop buying fast fashion, speeding to school, or using so much plastic.

Sometimes the best way to reconnect with ourselves and God during Lent is to add something into our life that was lacking. Some ideas for doing this is to read a daily devotional, go to mass every Sunday, or volunteer to do service once a week. You may also choose to add something to your life that you believe will make yourself a better person. This may be that you want to read 20 pages a day, practice meditative yoga, or do one good deed for someone a day.

Lent is a time for humility and a time to resist temptation. The community of Assumption has entered into the season together, though apart, and will continue to practice the values of Lent as a whole. Whether sacrificing or adding from or to ones’ life, the Lenten season will connect students to a larger purpose.

By: Caroline Hamilton

Photos provided by Ms. Ising