University of Dayton Campus Ministry encourages all to enter into God’s presence during the season of Lent, which begins Ash Wednesday, Feb. 22. During Lent, Christians prepare for Easter with prayer, fasting and almsgiving. The distribution of ashes on Ash Wednesday is reminiscent of the ancient tradition of sprinkling ashes over the heads of penitents.

"Many people have not returned to Church since the pandemic impacted in-person worship. We are inviting all to enter into the season of Lent as a new start. Lent can be a time to deepen your relationship with God and the faith community through prayer and other spiritual practices, to attend Mass or to worship more regularly, and to engage in acts of generosity and service that benefit others," said Crystal Sullivan, University of Dayton executive director of campus ministry. "This is so important now, as many search for meaning in all aspects of their life, meaning that can be found only with God in community. The story of Jesus in the desert, which is read to begin the season of Lent, reminds us God's voice can be heard in the wilderness, too. God accompanies us always."

The University of Dayton will celebrate Ash Wednesday Mass at 8 a.m., 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. in the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception, and 4:30 p.m., 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. at Holy Angels Church. An interdenominational Christian worship service with ashes will be offered at noon and 5 p.m. in the Kennedy Union Torch Lounge.

In addition to Ash Wednesday Masses, University of Dayton Campus Ministry will offer the following free events during Lent, which runs through Wednesday, April 5. Easter is Sunday, April 9.

• Masses are at 10 a.m., noon, 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Sundays in the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception. Masses also will be streamed via the University of Dayton Campus Ministry YouTube channel.
• Stations of the Cross will be observed at 3:30 p.m. Feb. 24, March 3, March 10, March 24 and March 31 in the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception.
• Exposition and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament will take place in the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception Monday through Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m. and on Friday after the conclusion of the daily 12:30 p.m. Mass until 3:30 p.m. 
• Reconciliation is available 11 a.m. to noon Tuesday, Thursday and Friday; and 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception.
• Vespers, or evening prayer, will take place at 5:30 p.m. March 8 and March 22 in the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception. Superior General of the Society of Mary, Fr. Andre-Joseph Fetis, S.M., will preside on March 8.
• Join us for lunch at our Table of Plenty dialogue 12:30 to 1:45 p.m., March 2 in Liberty Hall Room 08 that will discuss a social justice issue and how it relates to the Church or faith in general. The topic will be determined closer to the date. Register on 1850. Only open to UD faculty, staff and students.
• A Lenten reconciliation service with reflective Taizé music will be 7 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 28, in the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception. Taizé refers to the reflective music style of the monks of Taizé, France.

This Lenten season, Campus Ministry and the Office for Mission and Rector also will be collecting money to support Marianist programs overseas — health clinics in Togo, West Africa and India; and Marianist schools in India, Kenya and Malawi. Each serves the needs of the poor through education, encouragement and meeting basic needs. Give at https://marianistdonations.givingfuel.com/udgives.

For more information about Lent at the University of Dayton, visit https://udayton.edu/ministry/lent/index.php.

For more information, please contact the University of Dayton Office of Campus Ministry at 937-229-3339. For interviews, contact Shawn Robinson, associate director of news and communications, at 937-229-3391. Tripods are prohibited in the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception and Holy Angels Church.