By Yulissa Barrios, Contributing Writer
As Ash Wednesday approaches, so does the season of Lent in the Catholic Church. Lent is a liturgical season of the Catholic Church that lasts 40 days, which focuses on fasting, prayer, and almsgiving.
According to The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Catholics observe fasting and abstinence on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Additionally, during Lent, they embrace the tradition of giving up something or adopting new practices as a means of spiritual preparation for the celebration of Jesus’ resurrection on Easter Sunday.
At Saint Leo University, Catholic students fast in different ways, including giving up their unhealthy habits, diving into reading the Bible daily, and setting goals to enrich their spiritual life.
“I am going to give myself more time in prayer than I had before,” said Eric Brener Rocha Campos, a freshman majoring in secondary education.
Instead of focusing on giving up something physical, Brener Rocha Campos wanted to practice incorporating a more spiritual lifestyle.
“It’s something we all need,” said Brener Rocha Campos.
Another student, Larissa Polanco, a sophomore majoring in biomedical science, is also celebrating the Lenten season.
“I am going to read the Bible daily, praying the rosary daily with my mom and grandmother,” said Polanco.
In addition to fasting, she also wanted to build upon her prayer life because “prayer is a way of growth and is a time that gives each of us the opportunity to strengthen our faith and renew parts of our lives.”
Polanco wants this season to have a positive spiritual impact in her life to grow a relationship with God.
Emily Shute, a sophomore majoring in political science, wants to “give up sweets” for the season of Lent.
When pondering why she chose to give that up, she kept in mind how “it is for gaining a healthier mind and body.”
In 1 Corinthians 6, it states how the body is a temple of God, meaning that God wants the body to be treated respectfully and healthy.
Lent is a time in which people can take time to reflect on their lives and grow a closer relationship with God. With the Lenten season now upon us, Saint Leo students can have their desired relationship with God.
