This is a post from the faith blog by Junior Grace Kelly. Look for a new post every week on bcflyer.net for her perspective on our faith and the role faith plays in our lives.

Students were given the opportunity to partake in a beautiful Mass to celebrate the beginning of the Lenten season today for Ash Wednesday. To many people, this means the beginning of a 40-day period of fasting from a certain food, item, or habit.

“Ash Wednesday is a day for us to realize how beautiful repentance is and how merciful God is,” Celeste Thomas said.

But what if you haven’t chosen something to give up? Father Ben gave an eye-opening homily highlighting three key points to making the most of your Lenten fast. His ideas can help students evaluate their chosen fast and not only how it can help them in their faith, but also how it can help others.

“It is so important to remember that we are in a constant need of forgiveness, and as a result, should be in a constant state of conversion,” Corby Redington said. “Ash Wednesday never fails to remind me of how much more I need to do to follow Christ.”

Here are Father Ben’s ideas on Lenten fasting: First, pray more or do something that can strengthen your faith. For many people, prayer itself can strengthen their faith, but maybe go to adoration or a weekday Mass for some spiritual awakening. Secondly, give something up. Like Father Ben said, “Giving up candy is for children,” and in this day and age with all the technology at our disposal, I’m sure we can come up with something to take a break from. For his third tip, Father Ben said to do something to help better the community, such as serving the poor. Both our Diocese and our city have plenty of opportunities to help make a difference in lives from all around the community.

“Ash Wednesday is a humbling experience. It’s that time of year that reminds us of what Christ did for us and the immense love He has for us,” Melissa Klein said.