This week, we enter the season of Lent, a sacred time in the Catholic Church for reflection, repentance, and spiritual renewal. It all begins with Ash Wednesday, a day that calls us to remember our mortality, turn away from sin, and prepare our hearts for Easter.
An Ash Wednesday to Remember
Ash Wednesday has always been significant, but for me, it carries a deeply personal weight. In 2015, on Ash Wednesday, I received the devastating news that my mom had cancer. I was overwhelmed with anger—at the situation, at the unfairness of it all, and, quite honestly, at God. I couldn’t understand how He could allow this to happen to my family.
I remember getting in my car and saying I was going for a drive, not really knowing where I was headed. The next thing I knew, I was pulling into the parking lot of St. Rose of Lima. Without thinking, I walked inside, sat in a pew, and pleaded with God—for my mom’s health, for strength, for understanding. And it was Ash Wednesday.
Looking back, I see how much that moment shaped my faith. Ash Wednesday is about surrender—acknowledging that we are dust, that life is fragile, and that ultimately, we must place our trust in God, even when it’s hard. Especially when it’s hard.
Why Do Catholics Fast and Give Something Up?
Lent is a 40-day journey (excluding Sundays) that mirrors the 40 days Jesus spent fasting in the desert before beginning His public ministry. During this time, Catholics are called to focus on the three pillars of Lent:
1. Prayer – Deepening our relationship with God through personal prayer, attending Mass more frequently, or praying the Rosary.
2. Fasting – Abstaining from certain foods or luxuries as a form of sacrifice and self-discipline. Catholics are required to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday (one full meal and two smaller meals that together do not equal a full meal) and abstain from meat on all Fridays of Lent.
3. Almsgiving – Practicing acts of charity, giving to those in need, and serving others as a way to live out our faith.
Many Catholics choose to give something up during Lent as a way to detach from worldly distractions and refocus on God. Each year, I try to give up something that is truly difficult for me. In the past, that has included sweets, breads, and one year, soda. I’ve known friends who have taken on even more challenging sacrifices—one gave up warm showers to create a sense of suffering, another gave up TV entirely.
But Lent isn’t just about giving something up—it’s also about strengthening our faith. Over the past few years, I’ve committed to listening to the Rosary in the car instead of music or podcasts as a way to focus my heart on prayer throughout the day. This year, I am still narrowing down what I want to give up, but I have already purchased a Lenten devotional that I plan to go through this season.
The Purpose of Lent
At its core, Lent is about conversion of the heart. It is a time to acknowledge our sins, seek reconciliation, and prepare to celebrate the greatest event in our faith—the Resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter Sunday. The journey of Lent invites us to walk with Christ, share in His sacrifice, and grow closer to Him through prayer and repentance.
As we enter this season, may we embrace the beauty of Lent as a time of renewal and grace. If you observe Lent, what are you giving up or adding this year?
Wishing you a blessed and meaningful start to Lent!
Sammi
