As the Prep community began the journey of Lent at the Ash Wednesday Prayer Service, Fr. Bob O’Hare, S.J., opened his reflection by saying, “Whether you are on a sports team or not, welcome to Spring Training.” He went on to explain that “the start of Lent is the perfect time to train our hearts to start over fresh, to train our minds to clarify them, and to work on our souls. Just as many of you are dedicated to go and lift each day to strengthen your bodies, now is the time to strengthen your souls.”
Fr. O’Hare went on to discuss how fasting (not only from food, but from destructive habits), giving alms, and prayer can help us train to be our best selves. “Practice these exercises daily, and just as your muscles grow, you will see your heart grow bigger. You will see your soul strengthen. And indeed you will see your spirit lighten.”
Another Lenten tradition at Prep continued this week, as the seniors gathered for the first of this year’s class-level reconciliation services. The seniors were invited to pray and examine their consciences, with Fr. O’Hare, as well as guest Jesuits from the Saint Peter’s University community, on hand to offer the sacrament of reconciliation.