Lent is a time when Catholics and many Christians prepare to celebrate Christ’s Resurrection at Easter, and it is marked by prayer, fasting, and giving.

University Ministry team members Kevin Floyd, Michael Bogush, and Arielle Jacus made the sign of the cross on the foreheads of those who stopped by their tent outside of the Student Activities Building on Ash Wednesday. “Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel,” they said as  they imposed the ashes.

This is a call to remind everyone of the importance of rejecting sin and that life on Earth does not last forever.

Bryannah Valcourt, a freshman psychology major from Haiti, said she is focusing on improving her faith this Lent. “I’m also fasting from TikTok,” she added.

Having grown up in the Catholic faith, student Elise McDonald said taking part in the receiving of ashes is a tradition for her. “My grandma and I would do it together,” she said, noting her grandmother passed away last year. “It was a very special time for us.”

This Lent, “I’ll be getting closer again to my faith,” McDonald added.

Junior marketing major Brennan Roohan said Ash Wednesday is a time to “repent, live a virtuous life, live in the grace of God, and love your neighbor.”

Darwin Marrero, a sport business major and member of the Saint Leo Lions baseball team, said he hopes to “have a better relationship with God,” this Lent. “This is a new opportunity to grow in my beliefs and in my faith.”

The Saint Leo community had opportunities throughout the day to join in Ash Wednesday observances with Mass and ashes distributed at noon by the Benedictine Monks of Saint Leo Abbey and then the imposition of ashes from 1:30-4:30 p.m., also at the Saint Leo Abbey Church.