By Luis Rodriguez
Staff Writer
It is time to begin exercising, but not those muscles. Easter is less than 40 days away, which means it is the season of Lent.
“Lent is a time of exercise to grow spiritually, and it represents the cycle of life,” Brother Kevin Kriso, O.F.M., said.
A hot topic around campus has been what students are giving up for Lent. Lent is a 40-day journey to replenish one’s self and to become closer to God.
Lent began on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 18, and ashes were given at the University Chapel in Doyle Hall. Lent will continue with University Ministries hosting events every day for the next 40 days, including Stations of the Cross every Friday, spiritual yoga every Tuesday and a special service event for students on March 18. Students are encouraged by the friars to give reflections and share readings during mass. More events can be found on the University Ministries Facebook page.
In order for students to enjoy these events, they must understand the purpose of Lent. The objective of Lent is for believers to pray, repent their sins and give alms in order to become closer to God.
“Many people assume that all they have to do is give something up, when in reality, that is not the true purpose of Lent,” sophomore education major Rachel Barry said.
The bigger picture of Lent is the preparation for the celebration of Easter, as well as a time to reflect upon the life of Jesus and his sacrifices to humanity. Lent is not directly mentioned in the Bible, but it can be traced back to the times of St. Irenaeus in the early second century.
Many St. Bonaventure students have plans to sacrifice things for this tradition; but, one student has plans to give instead of give up.
“Instead of giving things up, I decided to start doing things that would strengthen my relationship with God and the world and people around me,” sophomore journalism and mass communication major Jessica Laursen said.
Other students decided to stick to the traditional route and give things up for Lent such as cellphones, television and unhealthy foods.
“I gave up Netflix and decided to consciously go out of my way to do things for people that I normally would not,” Barry said.
Like most religions, these sacrifices are symbols of appreciation for God and all of his blessings, Laursen added.
“We give up things as a way to turn our hearts back to God and find the positive things that He wants and has planned for us,” Laursen said.
Another student strongly believes that people are required to make these sacrifices.
“It is a religious obligation to give things up for Lent,” sophomore education major Christina Degroff said. “It is for me and for God.”
For Brother Kevin, Lent can be imagined as the start of spring. From the mud will grow flowers and the cycle of rebirth would be complete.
