The university permitted Catholic students to hold an Ash Wednesday Mass yesterday in Stauffer Chapel for the first time in Pepperdine history.
Catholic and non-Catholic students professors and staff members filled every pew. Pepperdine Chaplain David Lemley said it was one of the most attended Campus Ministry events not offering convocation credit that he has observed.
For Catholics Episcopalians Lutherans Methodists Presbyterians and other Protestant denominations Ash Wednesday marks the start of Lent the penitential season before Easter. For Catholics Lent includes 40 of meatless Fridays and focuses on the suffering of Christ on the cross.
The Ash Wednesday service was the second Mass on Pepperdine’s campus this academic year. Breaking with nearly 30 years of tradition President Andrew K. Benton permitted the Catholic Student Association (CSA) to hold two on-campus “trial Masses one per semester. In December of 2008, CSA held a Mass in honor of the feast of the Immaculate Conception.
David Lemley read the first reading and helped distribute ashes. Father Bill Kertze, pastor of Our Lady of Malibu, presided.
I was happy to be involved Lemley said. Being asked to administer ashes was a blessing.”
For many Catholic students the Mass was a long-awaited affirmation of their faith by the university.
“It was nice to know the school acknowledges that there’s a large Catholic student population said senior Mike Viola.
According to the Office of Admission, 16.1 percent of the fall 2007 incoming class identified as Catholic, compared to 19.5 percent who identified themselves as other Christian” and 17.4 percent who identified themselves as Church of Christ.
“I think a lot of times some students forget [being Catholic] is just as Christian as any Protestant denomination said junior Shaun Lilliard.
Religion professor and former University chaplain D’Esta Love acknowledged that Pepperdine, historically, has overlooked Catholic students.
Our Catholic students weren’t as recognized on this campus as perhaps our Protestants are she said.
Catholic students said they are grateful that Pepperdine is beginning to allow more diverse types of Christian worship.
It’s nice that we’re open to different religions and traditions said freshman Student Government Association President Wojciech Peliks. Every [faith] tradition might not be the same but we’re one in belief in God.”
Some non-Catholic students also said they support holding on-campus Masses.
“The Church of Christ is becoming more accepting of other Christian denominations said sophomore Adrienne Davis, a member of the Church of Christ. I hope that Pepperdine sees that things are beginning to change and starts reaching out to these students.”
When Love was chaplain she held the first inter-faith Ash Wednesday service on campus in 2003. She said she is happy that Benton permitted Catholic students to hold a Mass this year.
“It was a real step forward for us she said. It went from being an ecumenical service to really providing something for our Catholic students … I’m glad we’ve taken it up to the next notch.”
Love and Lemley said they have observed a resurgence of Christians looking for ways to recognize Lent such as Ash Wednesday services.
“I think a lot of Christians are hungry for this kind of meaningful symbol Lemley said.
Lemley also said he appreciated CSA’s effort to include him in the service. He said CSA’s decision not to use instrumental music during the service was a generous nod to Church of Christ and the heritage of Pepperdine.”
The service was a traditional Catholic Mass with the addition of the distribution of ashes which were placed on students’ foreheads in the shape of the cross. The ashes derived from Palm Sunday palms are a sign of commitment to Christ and denouncement of sin.
The primary difference between the Mass and other Christian liturgies is the Eucharist which Catholics believe to be the literal body and blood of Christ under the appearance of bread and wine. Although non-Catholics are not permitted to receive the Eucharist people of all faiths were invited to receive ashes or a blessing.
“Unfortunately because we as Christians are not one [church] non-Catholics cannot receive communion Kerze said. But they are welcome to come forward and receive a blessing.”
According to canon law Catholics of good health are expected to abstain from meat during each Friday of Lent as well as on Ash Wednesday. Prior to the Second Vatican Council in 1962 the Church held much stricter and elaborate fasting regulations.
According to Dr. Paul Contino CSA faculty mentor and Great Books professor Lent is more about strengthening one’s spiritual resolve than it is about suffering.
Sara Freeman contributed to this report.