Think of Ash Wednesday as ‘More than Ashes,’ Saint Leo Student Advises

Lent begins on March 5 this year with the observance of Ash Wednesday and ends at sundown on April 17 on Holy Thursday. It is a time when Catholics and many Christians prepare to celebrate Christ’s Resurrection at Easter. 

The 40-day period is based in the Bible, and the number 40 is used for times of “testing, penance, and renewal.” Matthew 4:1-11 speaks of the 40 days Jesus spent fasting in the desert, being tempted by Satan. “Jesus said to him, ‘Get away, Satan! It is written: The Lord, your God, shall you worship and him alone shall you serve.’”

Modeled after Jesus’ time in the desert, the observance of Lent centers around prayer, fasting and abstaining from something in order to focus on God, and giving. During Lent, prayers are concentrated on the need for God’s forgiveness and receiving mercy and love. 

Many people think of Lent as the time of “giving up something,” and while some give up luxury items or a bad habit, the season also calls for “conversions of the heart” and to follow Christ more faithfully. 

Father Lucius Amarillas ’18,’19, OSB, who serves as university chaplain, offers this advice for a successful Lent: “Let us honestly think what is it we need to fast from rather than what should we fast from, to come back to life in the presence of God.”

On Ash Wednesday, as ashes are placed on a person’s forehead, the person administering the ashes says, "Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel."

Bishop Gregory Parkes, of the Diocese of St. Petersburg and a Saint Leo University trustee, is calling for Catholics to ask for forgiveness during Lent 2025. 

“The ashes we receive on our foreheads on Ash Wednesday remind us that we are all sinners and yet we all have hope,” Parkes stated. “Jesus instituted the sacrament of reconciliation so that nothing would keep us from God's love. No sin is greater than God’s love and mercy. During this Jubilee Year, the Holy Door is the door of the confessional. This is where you will encounter God’s love and mercy in a profound way.”

For Saint Leo University student Spencer Wallut, Lent is an opportunity to “grow in holiness.” 

“Ash Wednesday means more than ashes to me because the ashes are a reminder that the end goal is heaven, that the things of this world are fleeting, and it is also an opportunity to publicly proclaim my faith,” said Wallut, coordinator of University Ministry’s Men’s Group.

Not only is Wallut giving up social media, including YouTube and podcasts, he also is reading Love and Responsibility by St. John Paul II along with his girlfriend. “I’m adding prayers throughout the day, an Ignatian examination of conscious once a week, and I am practicing moderation in my diet,” he added.

Wallut’s Lenten practices echo some that the Catholic Campus Ministry Association suggest for college students. Some ideas from CCMA include

• Take a "social media fast" for a certain period each day and replace that time with prayer or reading Scripture.

• Fast from negative self-talk by practicing gratitude and affirmations instead.

• Host a "technology-free night" and join with friends for conversation, prayer, and fellowship.

University Ash Wednesday Observances

There are several opportunities for the Saint Leo community to mark the beginning of Lent on March 5, 2025. Faculty, staff, students, and the public are welcome to all events.

University Ministry members will distribute ashes 9:30-11:30 a.m. outside of Saint Jude Chapel near the Student Activities Building.

The Benedictine Monks of Saint Leo Abbey will distribute ashes 1:30-4:30 p.m., at the Saint Leo Abbey Church. 

Mass will be celebrated, and ashes distributed at noon in the Saint Leo Abbey Church. The noon Mass also is livestreamed via the abbey’s Facebook page for the benefit of the entire Saint Leo community.