The Bellarmine Community began its Lenten journey with an Ash Wednesday Prayer Service held March 3 under beautiful blue skies on the Leo J. and Mary G. Lucas Quad.
Fr. Sean Carroll, S.J., provincial of the Jesuits West Province, was presider at the Prayer Service, which was coordinated by Campus Ministry, Athletes for Justice, and Compañeros. The Bells Choir, joined by many Athletes for Justice members, led everyone in song.
Those receiving ashes heard the phrase from the ministers distributing them, “Remember that you are dust, and unto dust you shall return.”
During his homily, Fr. Carroll recalled his time in ministry at the Kino Border, remembering the plight of migrants and encouraging all to pray for those impacted by the current devastating war in Ukraine. As noted by Chris Meyercord ’88, Bellarmine president, in his notice to parents that referenced Fr. Carroll’s reflection, “He invited us to open our hearts and have them broken by paying attention and listening to the challenges others face, whether that’s war in Ukraine, people who have suffered from the pandemic, or divisions that exist because of politics, religion, or anything else that might drive people apart. He suggested that by allowing our hearts to be open and broken, we can serve as ambassadors of God’s grace, being instruments of hope and healing.”