Lent is a period in preparation for Easter with about 40 days dedicated to penitence and reflection. The traditions and even the timing differ dramatically between various Christian denominations.

For the Western Christian churches, including the Catholics, Lent starts on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 21 this year. Believers are expected to devote time for prayers and exhibit restraint in eating, often giving up meat and eating fish instead.

Orthodox Christian Lent started two days earlier on Monday, Feb. 19. For many Orthodox Christians Lent includes giving up most or all animal products. “We basically go vegan until Easter,” said Philip Silouan Thompson, who is Eastern Orthodox.

According to Dena Popova, an international student from Bulgaria, the Bulgarian Orthodox Lent started on Sunday, Feb. 11. Meat is given up on that day.

On the following Sunday, Sirni Zagovezni, cheese and other milk products are given up. Also, Sirni Zagovezni is the day when younger people ask for forgiveness from older ones. “In the Orthodox there is no such thing as the little sacrifices, it is only the 45-day fast period before Easter,” said Popova.

Those who do not have particular prescriptions for Lent have to make a choice for how to mark the waiting period until Easter. For Dawna Mello, who is Catholic, this decision has to be very carefully made. “For things to give up, I try to choose things that I do daily, so that I remain conscious of my decision,” she said. “And when it gets a little hard, I just think, ‘Jesus gave His life, can’t I give up a little candy?’”

Sarah McCarthy is giving up cheese. Ginny Mathews is planning to observe Lent by attending Mass more often and eat smaller portions at meal times.
Dietary restraint is not the only Lent sacrifice that will be seen at Whitman. Heidi Brigham, who works at the Music Listening Library, is giving up NFL football for Lent and for every other holiday between now and mid-August. “It’s rough, but I’ve done it before,” said Brigham.

Among those taking a step further than avoiding sports during off-season, Dawna Mello will try to pray more often, including saying the Rosary, reading the Bible and being nicer to others.

Joseph Farnes is giving up both shame and guilt. “I know some guilt is good, but I need to curb the guilt,” said Farnes. “Trust me, I have taken guilt to a ridiculous level which isn’t at all healthy.”