When most people think of Lent, they think of Ash Wednesday, or not being able to go to Buffalo Wild Wings on Friday nights. While both these things are true, Lent can also be a time for deep personal growth.

“I believe Lent is an awesome time for healing and miracles of joy to be experienced, if I desire to grow in my relationship with God and God’s people,” says Sister Kay Gaul, one of Wahlert’s theology teachers. With this attitude in mind, Sr. Kay has given up TV in order to devote more time to reading, prayer and service. She is also refraining from “junk” food, as well as trying to be conscientious of her sleep.

Grace Herber, ‘18, shares that she is reading a book and journaling about it over Lent, as well as giving up makeup, hair products and hot tools such as straighteners and curling irons.  “I evaluated what is wasting my time and am trying to remove those things, as well as negative experiences from my everyday life,” says Herber on deciding what to give up.

“I’ve made it a goal to follow the Lent challenge everyday, and I am also saying a prayer for a different person each night,” says Luke Schaefer, ‘18. As for how he decides what to give up, Schaefer comments that he picks something that will hold him accountable.  

However, sometimes it’s hard to determine what the best thing to give up is. Sr. Kay has some advice for anyone struggling with this problem; “I would have them do a ‘self assessment’ around the question: How can I grow in a balanced way during the next six weeks? Or the question: How can I become more loving? After pondering those two questions, make a commitment to change and grow.”

Regardless of personal Lenten challenges, this liturgical season is a great reminder of the ultimate sacrifice Jesus made for all of us, and an opportunity to deepen our faith.