Students demostrate faith for Lent

Looking past politically-charged conspiracy theories that say universities indoctrinate students in atheism, Ash Wednesday is one day of the year when it becomes obvious religion still plays a part of the college lifestyle.

“Remember you are dust, and to dust you shall return,” says the priest or minister as he marks each worshiper’s forehead with black ashes in the sign of the cross, officially marking the beginning of the Lental season.

To some students at the University of South Dakota, the ashes are just a smudge. But to first-year Todd Schmidt, the mark symbolizes a day of repentance.

“Ashes always are a sign of human mortality,” Schmidt said. “Ash Wednesday serves as a reminder of our sinful nature.”

Sophomore Brooke Horner said she usually doesn’t feel like people judge her when she’s wearing her ashes but that they are more likely to ask about her faith.

“I will always wear my ashes proudly,” Horner said. “I will never wipe them off before going out in public. It’s a good way to evangelize about your faith because people will ask.”

Senior Kate Branick appreciates when people ask her about her ashes, she said.

“I usually go to 8 a.m. Mass, so I always forget I have them and then people will ask me about them,” Branick said. “So it’s a cool way to talk about your faith, because it’s the one day out of the year where it’s OK to talk about it without seeming pushy.”

Senior Dan Carmichael said he embraces his ashes and he echoed what Schmidt said but added it is also a time to be motivated to take action seeking repentance.

“It’s cool having ashes,” Carmichael said. “It’s a sign of humility. It shows that you love God and you’re not afraid to show it.”

Schmidt also said that even if people judge him for wearing ashes, it doesn’t bother him.

“You have to not be afraid to hold yourself to the faith,” Schmidt said. “True Catholics wear ashes proudly.”

While Ash Wednesday is not a holy day of obligation, students and community members make an effort to attend Mass as the St. Thomas More Newman Center sees its biggest crowd, said the Rev. Scott Traynor, priest at the Newman Center.

“The basic message is a call to repentance, and our culture doesn’t talk about sin, so I think it’s attractive for people to come and say they want to make a change and that things aren’t perfect,” Traynor said.

In addition to being the beginning of Lent, Horner said Ash Wednesday helps her grow in her faith.

“Ash Wednesday is a deepening of my faith and a reminder that God created me in his image,” Horner said. “Because of that, I strive to live a better life.”