While many of us gave up things for Lent, perhaps the quarantine is a deeper reminder of what’s important.

Many of us gave up our favorite things for Lent. But now, with the quarantine, we’re having to give up so much more. Coffee, ice cream, chocolate, social media, these are just a few of the things that many of us gave up this Lent. Just over 2 weeks after the start of Lent, we were thrust into a quarantine and are giving up much more than we expected. Our favorite restaurants, shops, beaches, parks and even seeing friends, are now out of our reach.

But Lent is really a time for reflection and perhaps more quiet time at home is giving us the opportunity to become closer to God during this season.

“The idea really is to spend this special season getting closer to Jesus and being with Him during Holy Week and then entering into His Joy on Easter Sunday when the Risen Christ begins to appear to others to console and strengthen them and us,” writes Helen Rosenthal, RSCJ.

Caro Pino ‘21 said “For Lent, I planned on going to the morning masses at Carrollton on Tuesdays and Thursdays which I did until we were quarantined. I wanted to spend more time with my family. Despite our current situation, I’ve still been able to uphold my Lenten promises (for the most part) by attending virtual mass each week with my family and inevitably I’ve spent a lot more time with them. God is reminding me of what’s truly important this Lenten season by highlighting the simple things in my life that sometimes go unappreciated and by strengthening my values of family prayer and reflection in preparation for Easter.”

“And the people stayed home.
And read books, and listened, and rested
and exercised, and made art, and played games,
and learned new ways of being, and were still.
And listened more deeply.
Some meditated, some prayed, some danced.
Some met their shadows.
And the people began to think differently.
And the people healed.
And in the absence of people living in ignorant,
dangerous, mindless, and heartless ways,
the earth began to heal.
And when the danger passed, and the people joined together again,
they grieved their losses, and made new choices, and dreamed new images,
and created new ways to live and heal the earth fully,
and they had been healed.”

By Kitty O’Meara