By BRIAN D. HENDERSON
Brian@newsroom.byu.edu
On Tuesday, March 7, cleaning crews filled the streets of New Orleans and other locales early this morning to sweep away the aftermath of Mardi Gras festivities celebrated by merrymakers throughout the world.
And in harmony with the subdued nature of the recovery from the annual revelry, today marks the beginning of Lent, a season of introspection, penitence and sacrifice for many in the Roman, Orthodox and some Protestant churches.
'Lent is a preparation for the celebration of Easter. It's a time when we consider all of life, really,' said Father Flegge, who leads the Roman Catholic parish at St. Francis of Assisi in Provo.
About 150 BYU students belong to the St. Francis parish, according to Flegge.
Lent is a 40-day period of fasting, sacrificing and soul-searching to commemorate Jesus' 40-day fast in the wilderness and culminates on Easter Sunday. Sacrifice is a central focus for many who observe Lent.
'In Catholicism, Lent is a time of fasting or giving up something you want in life as a tiny reminder of what Jesus gave to us,' said senior Emily Kromke, Ocala, Fla.
Kromke served as president of BYU's Catholic Newman Club for the past three years.
Flegge said the purpose of sacrificing is to grow in the likeness of Christ, and not just to sacrifice for its own sake.
'Sacrifice is done so we can learn how to give more of ourselves and not be so self-centered,' Flegge said.
If the sacrifice involves money, Flegge said members are encouraged to give that money to the poor.
'The disciplines may be very personal. Not everybody gives up something for Lent,' said Roger Keller, professor of Church History and Doctrine at BYU.
'Since Easter is the most important holiday in Christianity,' Kromke said, 'Lent makes you aware of that and brings you closer to your faith.'
Former BYU undergraduate Mark Stephensen, now a graduate student in Boston, said more than his giving up things like soda or swearing for Lent, attending BYU made him stronger in his entire faith.
'Church was a really big spiritual lift,' Stephensen said. 'It was especially important for me to keep my faith being around so many people who were so strong in theirs.' Kromke agreed.
'BYU forces you to re-evaluate your own faith, because you question things you've never questioned and you're forced to look at a different set of issues,' Kromke said. 'If you come to BYU you either become stronger in your faith or you lose it entirely.'
Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, the seventh Wednesday before Easter in the Western Church. The Eastern Church begins Lent on the eighth Monday before Easter, so it does not celebrate Ash Wednesday, because it excludes both Saturdays and Sundays in counting the 40 days.