Students of many faiths honor religious traditions by using the Lenten season as a time to prepare for the Easter celebration.
By JJ Bowman
News Editor
For many students March 5 was just another Wednesday.
But for the substantial population of students from Catholic, Episcopalian, Lutheran and other more traditional Christian denominations, March 5 was the most important Wednesday of the religious year. It marked the day millions of students ushered in the season of Lent, a period of 40 days mirroring the fasting and temptation Jesus faced before his public ministry. The season culminates with a celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus at Easter.
At Our Lady of Malibu, the nearest Catholic Church to Pepperdine, hundreds packed the cramped house of worship to receive black ashes on their foreheads, signifying the beginning of serious penance and reflection in preparation for Easter Sunday.
To make the ashes, priests bless palm branches from the previous Palm Sunday, which occurs a week before Easter. The palms mark the entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem during the week before his Resurrection. After Palm Sunday Mass, they are burned and mixed with oil.
The purpose of the Lenten season, however, transcends the symbolic practice of ashes. Dr. Thomas Vandergon, faculty adviser to the Catholic Student Association, said the true meaning of Lent can be lost on many Christians that don’t practice the tradition.
“It’s really a time of purification and enlightenment,” he said.
Although many people see Lent as a time to give up chocolate or their beverage of choice, Vandergon notes that such practice is more of an American tradition, and should be rooted in spirituality. After all, he said, the paramount aspects to Lent are reflection, charity work, fasting and prayer.
The CSA will focus on those themes in a variety of ways this Lenten season.
| The Pope’s Message
Dear brothers and sisters, may the Lenten season which we begin today be a journey of conversion to Christ. According to each one’s life situation, may it be the favorable time to express in daily life the sentiments of our Savior who gave his life for us on the Cross. May we find comfort and support in his sacrifice, offered for the salvation of all humanity. — Given on Ash Wednesday 2003 |
On April 6, the organization will host a pancake breakfast at Our Lady of Malibu as a fundraiser for the St. Vincent de Paul Society, which provides services for the poor and homeless. The CSA also hosted a soup supper for the homeless and has participated in prayer during the “Stations of the Cross.” This meditation consists of praying at 14 different scenes beginning with Jesus taking the cross at Cavalry and ending with his burial. At each stage, worshippers are called to deep reflection on the calling of Christ — and every Christian — to take up his cross.
Although the season of Lent may not exist in the Pepperdine Church of Christ community, members of various denominations joined Catholics on Ash Wednesday.
Scott Long, a junior international studies major and a member of the Church of Christ, took part in the service.
“I was very impressed by the traditions that the Catholics hold,” he said. “It helps them to focus on their faith.”
Long had attended Ash Wednesday services when he attended an Episcopalian school in Mississippi, and was invited by friends to attend the service at Our Lady of Malibu.
He said it also helped him prepare for the upcoming feast of Easter.
“It definitely helps you keep things in focus and reflect on the different times in Jesus’ life and his ministry,” he said.
And after sharing ashes with his fellow Christians and joining hands for the Lord’s Prayer, Long had a unifying message during this Lenten season.
“I don’t really see one denomination over another,” he said. “As long as the central focus is on Jesus, that’s fine with me.”
March 27, 2003
