Students, religious groups begin Lenten season

Black ashes in the image of a cross will grace the foreheads of students from four different churches after they come together today for an ecumenical service in the Indiana Memorial Union. Today marks the beginning of Lent, a 40-day preparation for Easter.\nThe Center for University Ministry, Lutheran Campus Ministry, St. Paul's Catholic Church and Trinity Episcopal Church will participate.\n"We share a common belief that we need to ask for God's forgiveness and mend our life and ask for his mercy," said Father Dan Atkins of St. Paul's Catholic Church.\nThe service will commence with a gathering song followed by an opening prayer. The event will include readings from the Second letter of Paul to the Corinthians, the Gospel of Matthew and a reading from the book of the prophet Joel.\nParticipating students will also take a penitential rite in which they will ask God for his forgiveness for their sins.\nLent is built on three pillars: prayer, fasting and almsgiving, or acts of charity. It is during the 40 days of Lent that Christians will observe these pillars and prepare for Easter.\n"The Christian community did two things during that time," Atkins said. "It prayed for the people who were becoming Christian, and it was a time for those who were already baptized to get ready to recommit themselves to their baptismal promises."\nAccording to "The Little Black Book" by Bishop Ken Untener, the fasting aspect of Lent binds all individuals who are over 21 and not yet 60 to only eating one full meal during the day. Two other meatless meals may be consumed, but together they must not equal a full meal. Abstinence from meat, which doesn't include fish, on Ash Wednesday as well as each Friday during Lent is also observed. \nIn order to accommodate the student population which observes Lent, all Residential Programs and Services dinning halls will offer fish on the Fridays during Lent.\n"All of the dining halls are adding fish to their menus for Lent," said Gina Brooks, Gresham food court manager. "That's something we have always done."\nFor those in need of a meatless meal during the week, Collins dining hall offers vegan food alternatives every day.\nThe Ecumenical service will begin at 12:10 p.m. in the Whittenberger Auditorium.\n"We're encouraged to not only fast but to pray and rededicate ourselves to prayer and spending time with God," Atkins said. "Especially in reading the scriptures and doing works of charity."\n-- Contact staff writer Amber Nicholas at amrnicho@indiana.edu.