Every spring, many Christian denominations observe a 40-day period of prayer and fasting as part of the Christian liturgical year. The Christian Liturgical calendar is an annual schedule that marks events in the life of Jesus and the history of Salvation. Traditionally, it starts on Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Thursday, with many individuals attending church services.
One of the most recognized observances in this calendar is Lent, a time of preparation for Easter where people reflect upon Jesus’s sacrifice on the cross and his time in the desert. During Lent, many strengthen their faith by practicing these traditions, which also brings them closer to God and to the people they love.
Ms. Arleen Morales, an advisor for Upward Bound at Channel Islands, shared her personal journey through the Lenten season. “I’ve always been Catholic and my parents have always surrounded me with the Church,” Ms. Morales said. “However, as I grew older, I decided to participate in this tradition for myself.”
For Morales, Lent is a time of true sacrifice — giving up something that is genuinely difficult to let go of. This year, she decided to give up coffee and fast food, reassuring that she relies on both most of the time.
“In the beginning it was very hard for me because I rely on coffee almost every day before work. As for fast food it was an easy process at first, but eventually it became challenging, especially on long, stressful days when I just needed to grab something quick,” she admitted. Despite the difficulty within the process, Arleen found it rewarding as it helped her become more mindful of the habits she had for herself.
Sophomore Marelie Marecon also shared her Lenten experience, choosing to give up soda and avoid using bad language. For her, Lent is a time of self-improvement and spiritual dedication. This helped her become more aware of her habits and instead moved her to pay close attention to the person she strived to be.
“I participate in lent because of my religion, which I love deeply,” Marecon explained. “It’s a way to thank the Lord for his sacrifices and show my gratitude. Since he died for us to have eternal life, I believe it’s important to give something up as a sign of appreciation.” She sees every sacrifice no matter what it is as a symbolic gesture of her commitment into living a pure and faithful life.
Marecon emphasized that her Lenten commitment has positively affected her life. She believes that improving her vocabulary makes her a better individual and that eliminating sugary drinks help her become a more healthier version of herself.
Marecon leaves a final message for those who practice Lent or are considering taking on their religious journey to another step: “There is always more to Lent than simply giving something up. Practices like these are always beneficial, no matter how much a person struggles.”
