Lent for Students

by Nicole Campos Villaran 

Ash Wednesday is the start of Lent. Lent is a 40-day period of reflection, repentance, and spiritual preparation until Easter. This is often marked by a church service where ashes are placed on the foreheads of participants as a symbol of repentance and mortality. When you get your ashes done the Father will tell you, “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” The phrase recalls God's words to Adam in Genesis 3:19 before the expulsion of Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden. The purpose of Lent is to focus on praying, fasting and almsgiving. This is to deepen one’s relationship with God in addition to preparing for the celebration of Jesus’ resurrection at Easter. Lent is practiced by Christians in the Catholic, Orthodox, Lutheran, Anglican, Methodist and other Protestant traditions.

But anyone can get their ashes done and practice lent regardless of their religion. In an interview, Jackson Huddleson stated, “To me lent means that I give up something in sacrifice just like how Jesus sacrificed his life for us on the cross. I decided to give up soda because I realized that I was drinking too much of it.” When you give up something for lent you practice self-discipline because this helps with having healthy habits and contributes to your overall well-being in various aspects of life.

Anthony Silvestri shared in an interview, “Lent is a time of personal sacrifice and reflection. I gave up cursing because it has been affecting me.” As the season of Lent unfolds, this serves as a reminder of the importance of reflection, personal sacrifice, and spiritual growth. This can be through giving up bad habits, focusing on praying, or giving back to others, Lent offers an opportunity for individuals to draw closer to their faith and live with greater intention. As Silvestri and Huddleson have shared, it’s a time to reset, reflect, and cultivate good habits that contribute to personal well-being, not just for the season but throughout life. With Easter on the horizon, may this period of fasting and reflection help prepare hearts for the joyous celebration of resurrection and renewal.