Staying Centered in Christ During Lent: A Guide for College Campus Ministers
By Rosie Chinea Shawver
Executive Director, CCMA
Introduction
Lent is a sacred season of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving - an invitation to step away from distractions and refocus our hearts on Christ. Yet, for college students, the demands of academics, the pull of social media, and societal pressures often make it difficult to fully enter into the Lenten journey. As campus ministers, we face similar struggles. The constant stream of news and the weight of world events, while important to stay informed about, can easily consume our thoughts and divert our attention from Christ. It is essential to remain aware, but not at the cost of our spiritual well-being. Our challenge, then, is twofold: to personally stay rooted in Christ amidst these distractions and to guide students in embracing Lent as a season of renewal, helping them cultivate a deeper, more intentional relationship with Him.
Lent calls for slowing down and creating space for prayer, yet college students often find themselves caught in relentless cycles of distraction that make it difficult for them to embrace the Lenten call to simplicity and sacrifice. Many struggle to see fasting, prayer, and almsgiving as more than just obligations, missing their transformative power. As campus ministers, we have the opportunity to help students reframe Lent - not as one more task to check off, but as a grace-filled season to detach from what is fleeting and draw closer to what truly matters: a deep, abiding relationship with Christ.
At the same time, as campus ministers, we must also be intentional about our own spiritual well-being during this sacred season. The demands of preparing for Easter, walking with students in their faith journeys through OCIA, and keeping up with the ever-changing world can leave little room for personal renewal. To remain rooted in Him, we must prioritize moments of silence, allowing God’s voice to rise above the noise. Setting aside time for personal prayer - beyond what we lead for others - helps ensure that our ministry flows from an authentic relationship with Christ. Frequent reception of the Sacraments, especially the Eucharist and Reconciliation, offers the grace we need to sustain our work. And finally, practicing healthy detachment from distractions - whether that means limiting news consumption, taking social media fasts, or simply saying “no” to unnecessary commitments - can help us remain centered in the One who calls us to this mission in the first place.
A powerful Lenten passage to keep in mind is Matthew 4:1-11, where Jesus is led into the wilderness and confronted by temptation. Just as Christ overcame the devil’s distractions through prayer and reliance on Scripture, campus ministers can help students recognize and resist the modern distractions that keep them from a deeper faith. By inspiring faith and transforming campuses, ministers create spaces where students can encounter Christ in a meaningful way during this holy season.
The Role of Campus Ministers During Lent
Campus ministers are called to accompany students through this season of repentance and renewal. They can help students see Lent not as a burden but as an invitation to encounter Christ in a profound way. By fostering open dialogue, ministers can guide students in reflecting on what they need to "fast" from - not just food, but anything that distances them from God. Pope Benedict XVI reminds us that Lent is a "journey of spiritual training," one that leads us back to the essentials of faith through prayer, fasting, and charity.
Campus ministers can be spiritual companions, helping students discern how to live these Lenten practices in a way that is meaningful and transformative. Through their leadership, they inspire faith, transforming campuses into places where students can grow in holiness and prepare their hearts for Easter
Cultivating a Christ-Centered Lent
To stay centered in Christ during Lent, both campus ministers and students can adopt practical strategies:
Deepening Prayer: Encourage students to set aside daily time for personal prayer, whether through Scripture reflection, the Rosary, or silent meditation. Consider organizing Eucharistic Adoration or Stations of the Cross on campus.
Fasting with Purpose: Challenge students to fast not only from food but from habits that distance them from God - excessive screen time, negative self-talk, or busyness that leaves no space for God.
Intentional Almsgiving: Help students see charity as an act of love rather than just an obligation. Organize service opportunities or encourage them to reach out to peers in need.
Sacramental Life: Lent is a perfect time to invite students to Confession and emphasize the Eucharist as a source of spiritual strength. Remind them that the sacraments are God’s greatest gift of grace during this season.
Building a Lenten Community
Lent is not meant to be lived alone. Creating a faith-filled community during this season can encourage accountability and deeper spiritual growth. Campus ministers can facilitate Lenten small groups, Scripture studies, or reflection nights where students can share their struggles and encourage one another. Pope Francis reminds us that the Church is a "school of prayer and community," and Lent is a time to strengthen that communal aspect of faith.
A transformed campus is one where students journey together in faith, holding each other accountable and encouraging one another to stay rooted in Christ. By fostering such a community, campus ministers live out their mission of inspiring faith and transforming campuses.
Conclusion
In the midst of college life, Lent can be a challenge, but it is also a great opportunity. By guiding students to embrace prayer, fasting, and almsgiving with intentionality, campus ministers help them experience Lent as a season of renewal. As they navigate distractions, students can learn to fix their eyes on Christ, drawing closer to Him in preparation for the joy of Easter. May they take inspiration from Jesus' time in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11), remembering that, through faith and perseverance, they too can overcome the temptations and distractions of the world.
Through prayer, community, and sacramental life, campus ministers inspire faith and transform campuses, ensuring that students walk through Lent with purpose, growing in their relationship with Christ.
May Our Lady, who journeyed with Christ to the Cross, intercede for all campus ministers and students, leading them to a Lent that is truly transformative.