![The Season of Lent]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1707946337/bsmschoolorg/rsidn3ufcywpferyxmlu/24-0214AshWednesday001.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1707946337/bsmschoolorg/rsidn3ufcywpferyxmlu/24-0214AshWednesday001.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1707946337/bsmschoolorg/rsidn3ufcywpferyxmlu/24-0214AshWednesday001.jpg","width":714}])
Prayer, fasting, and almsgiving are three of the hallmark elements of a Catholic Lenten experience. These focus areas are meant to remind us of the practices Jesus undertook during His way to the cross and His voluntary sacrifice for us. Each year at BSM, students have the opportunity to enter into the three cornerstone elements of Lent.
Before Lent begins, students participate in a special service in the chapel with their theology classmates, reflecting and writing out a resolution to focus on during Lent. While these resolutions are not read by anyone, I imagine many to be focused on fasting - giving something up as a way to unite our small sufferings with those made by Jesus. These resolutions of the students are then added to the holy palms from the prior year, and burned to create the ashes students are signed with during the Ash Wednesday Mass to begin our Lenten journey to Easter.
Throughout Lent, students are provided with opportunities to worship and enter into prayer both individually and as a community. One of the many meaningful experiences is when students will gather to experience God’s mercy during the Lenten Reconciliation Day. This is a special time for students to receive the sacrament of reconciliation and simply sit in the presence of God. This time reminds us that God’s love is ever present among us and He desires to shower His mercy on all. The mercy of God is a good reminder that BSM is a community of care, and we are called to love God and our dear neighbor without distinction.
The Lenten Mass of Healing, celebrated on Wednesday, March 13 is midway through the season of Lent, providing an opportunity for students to make a sacrificial gift (almsgiving) through our Common Basket program. This year’s collection will support Operation Smile. The Common Basket has been a wonderful tradition at BSM for more than 15 years, providing our community with a way to give of ourselves to those in need. During Lent this moment of sacrificial giving allows students to unite their own offering to the offering Christ made in His deep love for us.
Fasting and abstinence are also part of the observances made at BSM during Lent. The meal schedule is adjusted to help students, faculty & staff who observe these spiritual practices in our community. The reality is these changes to our normal routines might result in some being "hangry" at times. This allows us in these moments to extend grace and understanding to one another thereby becoming more like Jesus in our daily interactions with others.
As part of the BSM community I encourage families to consider how they can participate in the season of Lent by making time for the cornerstones of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Perhaps you are feeling called to a special prayer practice such as a daily rosary, Lectio Divina, or a Chaplet of Divine Mercy. Maybe God is calling you to fast from your phone before bed or during meal time. Finally, perhaps God has blessed you with an abundance of financial resources and is inviting you to give at a sacrificial level to a cause He has placed on your heart.
Regardless of how the Lord chooses to work in your life this Lenten season, please know we all are united in a special way as a BSM community walking towards the joy of Easter and have this time to deepen our relationship with Jesus who gave us everything He could.
God bless,
The Campus Ministry Team
