For a lot of people, the Lenten season is considered as a time for people to try to give up a bad habit, instead of a time to reconsider how to grow in faith.
As Christians, it’s easy to forget that Lent is not only a time of self-renewal, but a time to grow closer to Christ during these sacred 40 days.
Cardinal Gibbons celebrated the beginning of Lent with an All-School Mass on Ash Wednesday, March 5.
Lent can sometimes be stressful for children and adults alike, as they worry about not knowing what to give up for the next 40 days
This year, a program called FIRE was introduced to Gibbons. This group is destined to help students in our community grow closer to God this Lenten season, with guidance from members in the Spiritual Life Department and the Vocations Office of the Diocese of Raleigh.
Fire stands for Faith In Real Environments. This program is supposed to help students to understand and embrace their calling to become saints.
“FIRE helps to build our Gibbons community because our community is made up of many individuals, each of whom deserves the opportunity to be formed in their spiritual journey and encounter Christ as their friend. Starting with this intentional group will be a spark for increased commitment to faith in our whole school. Faith is relational!” said Mrs. Espina in an email response.
This commitment to serving Christ allows you to connect with friends and build relationships with peers. Holding each other accountable for our daily commitments during this Lent season helps to create bonds that can last after high school. Opening up to people who are experiencing similar things as yourself can influence so many lives, including your own.
The commitments include praying a decade of the Rosary and journaling daily, going to a Gibbons mass once a week, reading a chapter of our discernment book, weekly Friday lunches, and meeting with one adult group leader twice throughout the Lenten season.
These requirements might seem overwhelming, but when you begin doing it and have people who encourage you, it begins as something you look forward to instead of a burden.
During this Lenten season, this group is open to all people who are open to following the requirements. They help students keep in touch with their faith — they even have a bookmark reminding them of their duties.
On the top of the bookmark it mentions the verse, “I have come to set the world on fire,” from the gospel of Luke, reminding the students how our faith can spark a light in others.
“After Lent, I hope that the students who are a part of this group will know that they are loved just the way they are and that God wants to build a relationship with them each day. I hope to see more students from all areas of interest and hobbies joining together to talk about Christ. I hope that people feel safe and welcome in our school to share their experiences of faith,” said Espina in an email response.
At the end of Lent, the hope is for these students to continue these Lenten commitments for the rest of their lives. Many people struggle with prayer, but being able to have people who support you helps build a relationship with Christ and others in the world.
