Lenten retreat a time to step back and incorporate prayer into the everyday
Senior values perspective from participating in the Lenten Retreat in Daily Life through Campus Ministry
By Claire Shiparski, senior in the Klingler College of Arts and Sciences
Although a season of penance, Lent always finds itself as one of my favorite portions of the liturgical year. Growing up, I spent too much time focusing on what I was “giving up” instead of evaluating the more significant meaning of Lent.
After my first year of completing the Lenten Retreat, my perspective completely changed. As a college student, it is almost too easy to be swept up in the magnitude of assignments and to forget to make time for Christ. Yet, I have found Lent to be the perfect opportunity to step back, to be humble, and to give thanks for my educational opportunities, as well as my faith as a whole.
Today, I truly look forward to the Lenten season as it provides me the ability to re-evaluate my prayer life and how I am spending my time. It was only through my conversations with my spiritual advisor that I could reach this frame of mind. With my new perspective on the season, I am able to humble myself before Christ in a way in which I had not experienced in the past.
Having the ability to look up to a spiritual advisor provided me the opportunity as well as the tools to discern my next steps after graduation and to discover my calling.
As I kneel before the altar, I feel the true fullness of Christ’s love. Throughout my time at Marquette, I found great value in completing the Lenten Retreat. Having the ability to look up to a spiritual director provided me the opportunity as well as the tools to discern my next steps after graduation and to discover my calling.
Every year, the Lenten Retreat allows me to delve deeper into my faith. By the time Easter commences, I feel refreshed, knowing that I am taking further strides towards God’s will.
On Monday, March 29, students who participated in the Lenten Retreat in Daily Life met with spiritual directors online for a Closing Prayer Service led by Sara Knutson, assistant director of campus ministry — retreats. Thirty-one spiritual directors met with 58 student participants weekly during the 40 days of Lent to talk about their faith lives and encounters with God in daily life.
