The Season of Lent here at St. John’s
University
As early as the third century the forty days of fasting and giving
alms to the poor were placed just before Easter. In the fourth and
fifth centuries these forty days before Easter took on a more
“baptismal” aspect as they became the final period of preparation
for those who were about to be baptized. All of God’s people, the
Church, prayed with and for, and fasted with those soon to be
baptized. Here at St. John’s, there is a group of adults who are
right now, preparing to be received into the Church.
This time of preparation for those seeking to enter the Church
became a time for those already in the Church to rededicate
themselves to their faith, as we prepare to greet the risen Christ
at the Easter Vigil. We fast, and pray and give alms to the poor.
In our personal observances of Lent, however, we will do it with
minds and hearts on a Lenten journey recalling our own baptisms,
looking deeply within ourselves for the truth about ourselves,
longing to reunite with God and in loving support for those who
will soon be our newest members of the Body of Christ.
Imagine 40 Days
Lent is 40 days of preparation for the celebration of Easter.
In this time, the Church asks us to pray and to help the poor in an
effort to renew our lives. Imagine how you will do this in your
life...
The St. John's University Campus Ministry team invite you to
take advantage of a wide range of opportunities we have prepared
for this Lenten Season, to reflect on your own personal as well as
our communal Lenten journeys of faith, ever mindful of our
sinfulness, our need to grow and renew our faith.