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Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Lenten season for many Christian traditions, including Catholics. Lent is the 40-day period leading up to Easter, during which Christians are encouraged to strengthen their connection to faith through prayer, fasting, and works of mercy. As a Jesuit, Catholic institution, Loyola offers events and activities across all Chicago-area campuses, including liturgical services, personal reflections, and community service initiatives, to support students, faculty, and staff on their spiritual journey throughout the Holy Season.
Ash Wednesday
On Ash Wednesday, churchgoers receive ashes on their forehead as a symbol of repentance and spiritual awareness. A variety of liturgies will be offered on Lake Shore, Water Tower, and Health Sciences campuses throughout the day, and ashes will be distributed at all services. Members of the Loyola community from all faith backgrounds are invited to participate—attendees do not have to be Catholic to receive ashes.
Lake Shore Campus
Noon Mass, Madonna della Strada Chapel
Water Tower Campus
Services will take place throughout the day at Holy Name Cathedral and St. James Chapel.
Health Sciences Campus
8:30 a.m., Cuneo 2nd Floor Atrium
Noon, Cuneo 2nd Floor Atrium
Observing Lent on Loyola’s Campuses
From spiritual retreats and guided reflections to confession and meditation, Loyola offers many ways to engage with Lent. Signature events include:
March 5-April 17: Loyola Faculty and Staff Busy Person Retreat, all campuses
March 6-7: Inner-Mission Employee Retreat, LUREC
March 19, April 16: Taizé Prayer around the Cross, Lake Shore Campus
March 23-24: Into the Desert with the Lord, Lake Shore Campus
March 26: Spiritual Wellness Examen, Water Tower Campus
April 16: Holy Week Coloring Meditation, Water Tower Campus
April 14: Via Crucis, Lake Shore Campus
Loyola service and faith groups will also be hosting weekly events during the season, including weekly service and outreach opportunities led by Community Service in Action, daily conversation hours with Fr. Jerry Overbeck, S.J., at coffeeshops and restaurants around the Water Tower Campus, and sunrise prayers led by Christian Life Community
Review the full schedule of Lent events here.
Holy Week and Easter Services
Campus Ministry will hold daily Masses at Madonna della Strada during Holy Week April 13-20, including services for Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday.
Find the full Easter liturgy schedule here.
Resources for Reflection
In the Lenten spirit of renewal and reflection, Campus Ministry offers several resources to guide the University community on their faith journeys, including daily scripture readings, prayer guidance, and Ignatian reflections.
In addition to regular acts of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, the Church encourages those practicing Lent to abstain from meat on all Fridays of Lent, Ash Wednesday, and Good Friday, and practice intentional fasting on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Review the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ guide to Fast and Abstinence during Lent for more information.
