This Lent, The Catholic University of America community will find many ways to grow deeper in faith and prayer through opportunities provided by Campus Ministry and other campus organizations.
“Our goal is to foster encountering Jesus Christ in the Mass, in confession, in worship,” said Campus Ministry Associate Chaplain Father Joseph Hagan, O.P.
Campus Ministry will provide extended confession opportunities, weekly stations of the cross, Lenten reading groups and service projects, so students, faculty and staff may live the three Lenten pillars: prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Other organizations will be hosting Lenten series and conferences throughout the season.
See below for the Lent 2023 schedule and event information.
On Ash Wednesday, Feb. 22, Campus Ministry will offer the following liturgical celebrations:
8 a.m. – Mass at the St. Vincent Chapel
8:30 a.m. – Liturgy of the Word with ashes at Caldwell Auditorium
12:05 p.m. – Mass at St. Vincent’s
12:30 p.m. – Liturgy of the Word with ashes in Law School Courtroom
5:10 p.m. – Mass at St. Vincent’s (with music)
5:30 p.m. – Liturgy of the Word with ashes at Caldwell Auditorium
8 p.m. – Mass at St. Vincent’s
9 p.m. – Holy Hour at St. Vincent’s
10 p.m. – Mass at St. Vincent's
Lenten confession schedule:
Students may stop by the Campus Ministry office or email a chaplain to schedule confession outside of normal hours.
The Stations of the Cross will be prayed every Friday after the 5:10 p.m. Mass at St. Vincent’s, except during spring break (March 10).
Campus Ministry’s Lenten reading groups for graduate and undergraduate students will meet weekly to pray, read and discuss the book Searching for and Maintaining Peace by Father Jacques Philippe. Students can sign up through Ash Wednesday to participate.
This semester, the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) program is offering a series of lectures open to the University at 7 p.m. on Wednesdays in St. Vincent’s. RCIA is the process through which prospective adult converts are educated in the faith and may join the Catholic Church. These lectures will go deep into the basic truths of the Catholic faith and how to live them:
Feb. 15 – The Love of God
Feb. 22 (Ash Wednesday) – Lent and the Life of Penance
Mar. 1 – The Life of Grace and Faith
Mar. 8 – no lecture, spring break
Mar. 15 – Marriage and Theology of the Body
Mar. 22 – Confession
Mar. 29 – Living as a Catholic in a Secular Society
Apr. 5 – no lecture, Wednesday of Holy Week
Apr. 12 – The Beatitudes: Learning the Heart of Jesus
The Center for Carmelite Studies will host a series of spiritual conferences for graduate students during Lent, focusing on the prayer and mysticism of five Carmelite saints.
The Busch School of Business and Campus Ministry are hosting a four-part Lenten lecture series, open to the entire University, featuring a Eucharistic holy hour in the St. Michael Chapel, confessions, talks from University professors and free dinner. The series will take place from 5-7 p.m. on the following Wednesdays.
Father Joseph offered some practical tips for fasting and prayer on campus this Lent.
