What are Padua Students Doing for Lent?

Before the joyful season of Easter, Catholics observe the preparatory season of Lent, a time of praying, fasting, and almsgiving. For Padua students, Lent is an opportunity to reflect on their spiritual lives and work on making themselves better people. During the Lenten season, which started on February 18 and ends on April 2 this year, many Catholics choose to give up something, such as a favorite food, or perform random acts of kindness for the people around them. Padua students are making their own sacrifices this Lent to strengthen their relationships with God.

This Lent, Juli Stape (‘18) is working on making herself a better person. “Rather than giving something up,” she says, “I am trying to be a nicer person to others around me. Fortunately, this idea is actually working quite nicely. I’ve tried doing this a few times before, and every time, it makes me feel great. Even if it’s just doing something as simple as holding the door for someone, it gives me an amazing feeling knowing that I helped someone in one way or another.”

Lauren Pala (‘18) is taking a different approach. She explains, “I gave up caring about what others think of me. I have been extremely successful so far. It feels great to not care about another person’s thought of you.” By not caring about others’ opinions of her, Lauren can focus on more important things. “Having no worries is amazing,” she says. Hakuna Matata!

There are many different ways that Padua students are observing Lent. By fasting, doing good deeds, and praying, they are living as Jesus taught in preparation for his Resurrection on Easter. There is still plenty of time before Easter for reflection and action!