During the Lenten season, the 40 days before Easter, some TCU students took Fridays off from a typical meaty diet. During Lent, know as a time of reflection, prayer and fasting, many Christians sacrificially abstain from eating meat on Fridays. In support of this tradition, TCU Catholic has taken an active role in helping students observe Lent while building a sense of community.

Last Friday, the organization hosted its annual fish fry in the campus commons, offering students a free, meatless meal. Events like these not only honor religious customs but also bring students together in celebration of shared faith and tradition.

Jalyn Gryskiewicz, president of TCU Catholic, acknowledged that the university’s religious affiliation has allowed for the success of TCU Catholic.

“It is a Christian university which means were able to be more forward with our faith but also just to have TCU Catholic on campus being able to interact with more of our community,” Gryskiewicz said. “It’s so fun to be able to come out on campus and interact with more people and just kind of share our faith and what it means to us especially on a Friday in Lent when were just honoring the Lord and what he did for us.”

Despite the university’s affiliation with the Disciples of Christ denomination, the largest reported religious group on campus is Roman Catholic. According to student demographics, however, the ratio of Catholics on campus is shrinking as the amount of people who do not specify their religion is growing. The number of students who choose not to disclose their religion has grown more than 60% since 2014.

TCU Catholic is offering masses throughout Holy Week, culminating in the 11 a.m. Easter Sunday mass in the Robert Carr Chapel.