The University of Dayton begins Lent — when Christians prepare for Easter through prayer, fasting and almsgiving – on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 14, which features the ancient tradition of sprinkling ashes over the heads of penitents.

The University of Dayton will hold Ash Wednesday Mass at 8 a.m., 11 a.m., 4 p.m., 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. at Holy Angels Church; and 12:30 p.m. at Curran Place. An interdenominational Christian worship service with ashes will be offered at 5 p.m. in the Kennedy Union Torch Lounge.

"This year, we invite the community to enter into a pilgrimage of hope," said Crystal Sullivan, University of Dayton executive director of campus ministry. "Today, people experience much suffering and challenge. How can we hope? In whom or what do we have hope? For Christians, the life, death and resurrection of Jesus is the ultimate mystery of hope. We trust that as we live our journey as disciples, Jesus accompanies us. Jesus knows our suffering and reveals God's love to us as a sign of hope. ‘Blessed are they who hope in the Lord' (Psalm 1). We invite all into that journey with Christ and into a season of hope through prayer practices, fasting and generous acts of service that benefit others." 

In addition to Ash Wednesday Masses, University of Dayton Campus Ministry will offer the following events during Lent, which runs through Wednesday, March 27. Easter is Sunday, March 31.

• Sunday Masses are at 10 a.m., noon, 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. in the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception. Campus Ministry also will stream the 10 a.m. Mass via its YouTube channel.
• Exposition and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament will take place 4 to 6 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays; and Fridays after the daily 12:30 p.m. Mass until 3:30 p.m. in the Marianist Hall Chapel until Feb. 26. It will be in the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception after that. 
• Reconciliation is available 11 a.m. to noon Tuesday, Thursday and Friday; and 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Marianist Hall conference room until Feb. 26, and then the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception after that.
• Table of Plenty dialogue 12:30 to 1:45 p.m., March 7, in Liberty Hall 08; featuring Chicago-based artist Jacqueline Romo, creator of the Passion of the Monarca Migrante; who will discuss the connections among Jesus' passion, death and resurrection, the immigrant experience, and Catholic social teaching. Register on 1850. Only open to UD faculty, staff and students.

• Romo also will host an evening program of prayer and reflection using her Passion of the Monarca Migrante Stations of the Cross to connect Jesus' passion, death and resurrection and the immigrant experience at 6:30 p.m. in the Adele McGinnis Room followed by Mass at 8 p.m. It is open to the public.

This Lenten season, Campus Ministry and the Office for Mission and Rector are encouraging donations to support Marianist programs overseas — health clinics in Togo and India; and Marianist schools in India, Kenya and Malawi. Each serves the poor through education, encouragement and meeting basic needs. Give at marianistdonations.givingfuel.com/udgives.

For more information about Lent at the University of Dayton, visit udayton.edu/ministry/lent/index.php.

For more information, please contact University of Dayton Campus Ministry at 937-229-3339. For interviews, contact Meagan Pant, associate director of news and communications, at 937-229-3256, 937-212-2979 or mpant1@udayton.edu. Tripods are prohibited in the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception and Holy Angels Church.