By Juliana Seaman
TAMPA, Fla. –– With a later start date than the previous year, the Catholic season of Lent has officially started. Lent is celebrated by Catholics for the life of Jesus Christ through fasting, prayer, and almsgiving. This holiday season lasts 40 days, beginning on Ash Wednesday and ending on Holy Thursday, with Easter Sunday celebrated on April 20 this year.
Traditionally, Catholics will give up an indulgence of their choice for the 40 days up until Easter Sunday to represent Jesus resisting temptation in the desert before beginning his ministry over 2,000 years ago. For centuries, Catholics have been celebrating this holy season for the resurrection and life of Jesus Christ.
Over time, society has developed to move at a rapid pace, sometimes to the detriment of our religion and beliefs. Fortunately, some still value and prioritize their faith above all else. In many communities, there are organizations centered around religion for those who are loyal to their beliefs. Universities appreciate their students’ backgrounds and implement their values on campus.
At The University of Tampa, Catholics are able to come together to share their passion for religion through the extracurricular organization UT Catholic. With welcoming arms, this club has various meetings and designated church times on Sundays at 8 p.m. at Sykes Chapel and Center for Faith and Values on campus. The UT Catholic club also offers confessions with the priest and retreats for the members to go on to encourage their growth during their religious journeys.
Alyssa Rivera, a senior international business and marketing double major at UTampa, is a member of UT Catholic. Raised in Elmhurst, Illinois, Rivera grew up in a religious household, and she made sure that her beliefs traveled with her to the Sunshine State.
“I remember learning prayers in Spanish, then later on in English,” said Rivera. “My family is very Catholic, so it has been instilled within me for a long time now.”
Sometimes when the attendance of Sunday mass is not possible for Rivera, she makes sure to pray and converse with God daily. When Rivera is not studying or attending church, she is also a part of the Alpha Chi Omega chapter, Gamma Pi chapter, and the Success Scholars Program. She even works as a resident assistant (RA) for Residence Life on campus.
As a member of UT Catholic, Rivera was excited to strengthen her relationship with God even more.
When she was just a freshman, she “stumbled upon” the organization and instantly fell in love. Considering how far away she is from her hometown, Rivera wanted to find a way to supplement her connection with God.
“Religion genuinely means everything to me,” said Rivera. “Everything I was given and this amazing life I am so grateful to live is because of God, my faith, and my family’s faith. The UT Catholic club is a way for me to reconnect with my religion, values, and faith despite my new life in Tampa.”
Being from out-of-state did not impede Rivera’s ability to continue practicing her faith. Aside from the church on campus, she tries to attend Sunday mass at either Christ the King or St. Lawrence Catholic Church, both located in Tampa, Florida.
For Ash Wednesday, Rivera attended the mass ceremony at St. Lawrence and made the bold decision to sacrifice chocolate for the 40 days of Lent. On the days Rivera is unable to attend mass, she makes the effort to go to confession instead.
Religion plays a huge role in Rivera’s life and everyday routine.
For many like Rivera, religion will forever hold much value on a day-to-day basis. With welcoming arms, the UT Catholic invites and encourages students who want to pursue their religious journey to join. Now that the Easter Season has begun, the 40-day countdown starts now.
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Sacred Heart Catholic Church located in Downtown Tampa, Florida. Photo courtesy of Juliana Seaman.