Ash Wednesday kicked off the 40 days of Lent, a period where Catholics focus on bettering themselves and preparing for Easter.
At Ash Wednesday services, which took place yesterday at 11:10 a.m., 5:10 p.m. and 9 p.m. at the Newman Catholic Center, churchgoers received ashes on their foreheads in the shape of a cross. The mark signifies the ashes God made them from, as well as a visible symbol of penance.
Jennifer Raygoza, a biology senior, said Lent is about focusing on being a better person.
“I’m going to try to not be so negative,” Raygoza said. “I also decided to give up soda.”
Anna Gorman, a food science and nutrition junior, is going to stay off social media for the entirety of Lent.
“It’s going to be a process,” Gorman said.
Nutrition and food science junior Gabi Berryhill is giving up Netflix for Lent. She said that, with finals coming up, 40 days without Netflix might be just what she needs.
“We’ll see how that goes,” Berryhill said. “Hopefully I can stick to it.”
“Lent is a time to reflect and try to be better,” said Patty Eagan, a business administration sophomore.
This Lent, civil engineering sophomore Shandy Rogers said she will be “cleaning up (her) mouth” by giving up cussing, and she will go to church more often and donate at the services.
“To me, Lent is about prayer, alms giving, and sacrifice,” said Rogers. “I’m going to try to mirror that this Lent.”