Prayer, fasting, almsgiving—the phrase Christians repeat over and over during the 40 days between Ash Wednesday and Easter. In the Christian tradition, across denominations, Lent is a time of “solemnity and self-reflection,” as described by the United Kingdom’s Christian Enquiry Agency. Christians use this time to repent for their wrongdoings and turn towards a more holy life, which, for the six weeks of Lent, involves extra time in prayer, fasting from luxuries, and charitable giving or volunteering. Lent culminates in the joyous day of Easter, when Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus.
So what is it like being a Christian during Lent 2024?
Pescatarian Fridays
Not all Christians are required to do so, but for many, meat is off-limits on Fridays during Lent, which forces us to reach for the questionable grilled tofu or vegan options. Thankfully, HUDS has installed fish and chips lunches every Friday, making the midday meal a no-brainer. Still, we often find ourselves grabbing under-ripe bananas and peanut butter at dinner.
Ash Wednesday = Valentine’s Day?
We are not sure what St. Valentine had in mind for his feast day, but we are betting it did not involve clashing holidays. Still, Ash Wednesday often falls on February 14th, prompting Christian couples to reevaluate the most romantic day of the year, trading in their chocolates for church services and red roses for rosaries.
This year, it could have started with a church date. Christians often attend services on Ash Wednesday to mark the beginning of Lent. In some traditions, such as the Roman Catholic faith, priests will mark the foreheads of churchgoers with an ash cross as a symbol of repentance. Though not all Christians participate, Roman Catholics and many Protestants, such as Episcopalians, Lutherans, and Presbyterians, can be spotted with ashes at the Lent kick-off.
Ash Wednesday mostly marks a solemn day of the year—a day Christians show remorse for their wrongdoings and begin a period of self-reflection. It was not the easiest to balance with a day full of love and luxury. But do not worry; we still put on pink and sent out our galentines.
Mud, Lacerations, and Ashes
“Is there dirt on your face?”
“Are you injured?”
“Did you hit your head?”
These are some of the many questions a Christian might have gotten sporting a charcoal forehead this February 14th. Our responses? Yes, the dirt makes me feel grounded. Yes, I’m badly lacerated—please help. Yes, I hit my forehead on some palm ashes.
(In all seriousness, though, those situations are great opportunities to start up a conversation about Lent and invite others to support whatever you choose to fast from, whether it is foods, bad habits, or screen time!)
Saying Bye to Snooping Around
Social media is often considered one of our worst vices. It is arguably one of the hardest things to give up during Lent, especially this month with countless spring break and royal-family-saga posts filling up our feeds. How are we supposed to keep up with all the drama if we are not constantly glued to X, Instagram, or TikTok? It might seem like an impossible task. But as Christians, we are called to avoid excessive judgment and gossiping, according to biblical passages such as Proverbs 20:19. So during Lent, we would recommend sticking to good ol’ newspapers and asking people in person what they have been up to. Detox a little. Try reading some exciting Bible stories (such as David and Goliath) instead of scrolling through edited photos and thirst trap videos.
Not Dry January, but Dry Lent
We all know Jesus turned water into wine, but for many 21+ students this Lent, their wine is going right back to water. And while these lovely young authors do not imbibe, we know that giving up alcohol can be hard, especially when it seems like just about everyone is regularly toeing the line of alcoholism during college. Walking into a grimy club dead-sober might be scary, but you just might find that you really can enjoy yourself with just the right combination of fun friends and well-mixed music.
Giving Back
It is easy to neglect the third task of lent—almsgiving—but it is one of the most important aspects of the 40-day period. Along with fasting and extra prayer, we are called to give back to our community, whether through small gestures of kindness or more deliberate volunteering. This Lent, these authors took up random acts of kindness and spent time volunteering in various homeless shelters in the area. We hope to carry these practices into the rest of the year, too!
Looking Forward to Easter!
The last week of Lent is Holy Week, kicked off by Palm Sunday, followed by Holy Thursday and Good Friday (a day of fasting), and culminating in Easter Sunday, the celebration of Jesus’s resurrection. Easter services are some of the most extravagant of the Christian year; churches across denominations decorate with spring flowers and celebrate with pastel colors and Easter hymns.
This year, Memorial Church, the interdenominational Protestant congregation located in the Yard, is hosting Easter services at 6:00 a.m., 9:00 a.m., and 11:00 a.m. Similarly, St. Paul’s, the Catholic parish, is holding an Easter Vigil on Saturday night in addition to Easter Sunday services. Whichever denomination you participate in, we hope to see you at an Easter service and celebrate another Lent in the books!
Mia Tavares ’27 (miatavares@college.harvard.edu) and Emmie Palfrey ’27 (epalfrey@college.harvard.edu) cannot wait to put on their Easter best this weekend!