Carved into the base of the Sacred Heart statue at the center of God Quad are the words “Come to me, all of you,” a phrase from Matthew 11:28. That Scripture verse serves as this Campus Ministry’s Lenten theme this year, an invitation directed not at the perfect, but at anyone willing to respond.
An estimated 3,500 people received ashes Wednesday at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart across four English-language Masses at 8 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 5:15 p.m. and 9 p.m. A Spanish-language Mass was offered at 7 p.m. In addition to the Basilica liturgies, ashes were distributed at Masses held in dorm chapels and several academic buildings throughout the day.
Fr. Brian Ching, rector of the Basilica and director of liturgy for Campus Ministry, estimated about 800 people attended both the 8 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Masses. The 5:15 p.m. liturgy drew the largest crowd, with between 1,000 and 1,200 attendees, and roughly 800 were expected at 9 p.m.
In his 8 a.m. homily, Ching reflected on the fleeting nature of earthly glory, invoking the phrase “thus passes the glory of the world” as a reminder that even the most beautiful parts of life are temporary. Lent, he said, reorients believers toward what is eternal.
“This world does pass away,” Ching said, describing the Lenten season as preparation for Easter and the promise of resurrection.
Ching also emphasized that Ash Wednesday publicly acknowledges human limitation.
“I think Ash Wednesday speaks to a truth that we all know and have to acknowledge,” Ching said. “We make mistakes. We assume. That’s not something that we can pretend isn’t a part of life.”
The ashes, he said, symbolize both mortality and hope — a call to seek grace at the start of the 40-day season.
Fr. Pete McCormick, assistant vice president of Campus Ministry, described Lent as an opportunity to examine daily habits and decisions in light of discipleship.
“When I was younger, it felt more like a chore,” McCormick wrote in a statement to The Observer. “In recent years, I’ve come to see Lent more as an invitation.”
He encouraged students to approach academics, friendships and responsibilities with a clearer sense of purpose.
“Lent is a good reminder of why we’re here in the first place: to know, love and serve God,” McCormick said. “That doesn’t mean ignoring everything else. Your health, your friendships, that chem exam you’re stressed about, all of it matters. But Lent invites us to see those things in a bigger context.”
For McCormick, the season includes small, intentional sacrifices. He said he plans to give up chocolate and ice cream and to offer a brief prayer for the poor and unhoused in South Bend each time he notices a craving.
Students across campus are making their own commitments.
Sofia Murrin, a junior in Howard Hall, said she plans to focus on reconciliation this Lent.
“I’m not giving up something, but I want to make it a point to go to confession at least one time during Lent,” she said.
Sophie Dandawa, a freshman in Walsh Hall, said she is giving up “all sweets” and flex points and is limiting caffeine.
Ching said the hope for Ash Wednesday and the Lenten season remains the same each year: That people deepen their relationship with Christ and reflect that growth in their actions.
As students moved between classes with ash crosses still visible, Campus Ministry’s theme served as a reminder that Lent begins not with self-improvement, but with an invitation — to come.
