Nazareth recently held its Ash Wednesday Mass on February 22, 2012. Father Bill Kileen of St. Francis Xavier presided over the all-school mass. During the Mass, students went up to receive ashes on their foreheads from Eucharistic ministers. The ashes are from the blessed palms used in the Palm Sunday celebration and symbolize penance. When receiving the ashes, all Eucharistic ministers asked, “Do you turn away from sin, and will you be faithful to the gospel?” and the person receiving the ashes answered “I will.”
Readings included the book of Joel, Samuel, and the Gospel according to Matthew. In Matthew, Jesus spoke of how one should not brag about his good deeds but be secretive and humble. He also spoke about how we should not draw attention to ourselves in repenting and fasting, but just live our lives. In his homily, Father Kileen talked about how Lent is an individualistic journey, yet we cannot do it alone. This relates to Campus Ministry’s theme for the school year, which is “Serving Our Neighbor So All May Be One.”
Ash Wednesday is the beginning of Lent, during which we try to better ourselves for forty days just as Jesus did in the desert. We strive to act according to Jesus’ teachings by serving others and giving to charity. Through penance, alms giving, and prayer practiced during the season of Lent, we become more connected to our faith, God, and each other.
Senior Grace Rafferty loved the mass, stating, “I love Naz school masses. Ash Wednesday Mass is a solemn mass that reminds us of what Lent is all about. The music was beautiful and I love that many different people come and participate in many different ways.”
Rafferty stated she was giving up junk food, and that, “I am going to church twice a week to strengthen my relationship with God during lent.”
Like Grace, senior Morgan Borkovec is giving up junk food, and also Facebook. “I am giving up Facebook for the challenge and to prove I’m not obsessed with it.” Both Facebook and junk food are popular items being given up this year as many make an effort to sacrifice what they don’t truly need as they embrace the spirit of the Lenten season.