Sacrifice increases spirituality during Lent

Lent, meaning 40 days, is the Catholic tradition of the Easter fast when believers give up foods or something else to observe self-sacrifice. According to www.catholic.org, traditionally the fast consists of eating only fish to eating only dry bread. During holy week some Christians were believed to eat nothing for a full 24 hours, and some would only have one or two meals a week. Normally on fasting days people will eat one meal a day, most likely in the evening. On holy week, or at least Good Friday, participants will eat only dry foods. According to the Web site, Lent has three aspects. The first is a two-day fast for the weekend of Easter that was stretched to 40 days. The fast is a way of showing sacrifice. Danny Davenport, a junior general education major from St. George, said: "If I participated in Lent the first thing that came to mind to sacrifice would be caffeine, or better yet carbonation. That would definitely be a sacrifice, but one that would make me more healthy too." The second aspect to Lent is to prepare for baptism and the receiving of the sacrament. The third aspect is for those who have sinned and are preparing to receive their baptism. The first day of Lent is called Ash Wednesday. This year it started Feb. 17. Ash is symbolic to Lent because it's an ancient symbol of repentance. It also reminds people of their mortality. Lent is supposed to be a period of renewal and transformation. The idea is that a person gives up something that is bad for them, or some form of a sin. After the 40 days are over people are expected to be able to easily abstain from the thing they chose to give up. Many people try to give up things like soda, candy,swearing or other bad habits. Jessica Harward, a sophomore EMS major from Ivins, said she would give up candy if she observed Lent. "I would sacrifice any form of sweets and anything candy-like," Harward said. I would only eat natural sugars in foods, and that would suck." Sacrifice is the underlying theme of Lent observation. Jim Webb, St. George resident and Catholic, said: "We give up meat on Fridays which is pretty traditional, and pick something that was a favorite to give up like ice cream. It was something you really loved so you would have to make a sacrifice." Mardi Gras, also known as Fat Tuesday, is the three-day period before Ash Wednesday. Many people celebrate and prepare for their 40-day journey starting with festivities associated with Mardi Gras. "It seems that Mardi Gras is a huge party so that people can indulge in everything that they are planning on giving up for Lent," Davenport said. Other religions practice Lent-like traditions but are not considered to be Lent. In the LDS religion it is common to fast the first Sunday of every month for the year. "Fasting with a prayer is a way to increase spirituality," said Melanie Stout, a St. George resident and Mormon. The notion of giving up something for an extended period of time has been around for ages. Many believe Jesus went mostly without water and food for 40 days therefore fasting is a way of self-sacrifice and used as a tool to grow closer to him. "A real sacrifice for me would have to be giving up my cell phone; I text way too much," Stout said. Not all Christian religions observe Lent, but many do. Some of the religions that practice the tradition of Lent include Lutherans, Methodists, and Eastern Orthodox churches. Other religions practice some form of fasting or sacrifice equally important to their religious observation, even though they don't follow Lent. St. George Resident Stacia Walls said: "My church, the Harvest Christian Assembly, doesn't do 40 days of Lent. We do still fast and pray. If I were to give up something for 40 days I would choose TV and Internet."