University Ministries is encouraging students to think about Lent in a new way this season.
Catholics ages 14 and up are obliged to practice abstinence on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday and Fridays in Lent. Catholics 18-59 are obliged to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.
As a method of asking students to think about giving rather than going without, the Ministries started a #SBUMercyChallenge. Each day of Lent, a new “challenge” is posted on the Notice Board and the University Ministries Facebook page.
“The idea is to take the focus off giving something up,” said Julianne Wallace, Associate Director of Faith Formation, Worship and Ministry. “Even Pope Francis this year invited the universal Catholic community not to give something up but to do something instead.”
Pope Francis declared 2016 the year of mercy in December. Wallace said she thought it’d be interesting to come up with something each day so that students can experience mercy in their lives.
“The idea is to have some aspect of mercy that is easily attainable,” said Wallace. “So either you’re praying, you’re reflecting on a scripture or a
quote or you’re doing something for mercy.”
Day eight of the Mercy Challenge said, “‘Blessed are the merciful for they shall receive mercy,’ Mt. 6:7. Where do you need mercy?”
Wallace said the challenges are all very different, like praying or volunteering at the Warming House, and some students might not participate in every one. But she added it’s a great way for students to take a break from their busy lives for a few minutes.
Wallace also said students don’t have to be deeply religious to enjoy these experiences.
“The purpose of going through college is discovering who you are,” said Wallace. “You’re preparing for your life outside this university. So just like you do this in your academic life, it’s also important to do that in your spiritual life.”
No matter what spiritual background students have, Wallace said she wants them to think about who they are spiritually, what feeds them and what their identities are, so they can be “whole.”
“When joyful things happen you can be thankful; when sorrowful things happen you have a good firm foundation and a firm family to help you through that time,” said Wallace.
Some students might believe showing mercy is a difficult thing, but Wallace affirms that it’s quite easy.
“I think something in our world is to be a little kinder and gentler to those around us,” said Wallace. “It’s very easy to judge, but that’s not an act of mercy. I think just looking around, realizing that we’re called to honor everyone on campus and to respect their dignity; that’s a really simple merciful act.”
kolbee14@bonaventure.edu
