Lent season begins today, and University Ministries is hosting on-campus activities and devotionals for students celebrating this religious period.An Ash Wednesday service will be held at noon in the Robert Carr Chapel, where participants can worship to Christian music as well as receive the imposition of the ashes on the forehead, said Ann Smith, a University Ministries intern for worship, spiritual life and pastoral care.

There will also be an Ash Wednesday Mass held in the Student Center Ballroom at 5:15 p.m. followed by a candlelight Taize service that will be held at 8 p.m. in Room 202 of the Student Center.

“Simple chants will be performed by a song leader, and there will be a lot of quiet time to be with God,” Smith said. It is all about worship and peace.”

Students who wish to receive daily Lenten devotionals through e-mail can do so by contacting University Ministries at [email protected]. Lenten lunches, which will be meat-free, will be held every Friday during the Lent season from 11:30 to 1:30 p.m. in Room 111 of the Student Center.

Typically around 75 to 100 students participate throughout the Lent season, depending upon students’ school schedules, Smith said.