http://ozarkspub.vo.llnwd.net/o37/KSMU/audio/mp3/theseasono_707.mp3
The forty day period of Lent has begun once again, and some Catholics want to clear the air about common misconceptions concerning the Lenten season. K-S-M-U's Katie Hummel reports...
THIS YEAR, THE FIRST OFFICIAL DAY OF SPRING FALLS ON MARCH 20TH.
FOR MANY, SPRING IS A TIME OF NEW LIFE AND NEW GROWTH.
IT GENERALLY MEANS WARMER, SUNNIER DAYS : AN END TO WINTER OR FOR SOME, THE BEGINNING OF SPRING CLEANING.
FOR CATHOLICS, THOUGH, SPRING SIGNIFIES THE END OF FORTY DAYS OF LENT.
LESLIE ANN EIDSON IS THE EDITOR OF THE MIRROR, THE NEWSPAPER OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF SPRINGFIELD-CAPE GIRARDO.
THERE ARE OTHER MEANINGS, AS WELL.
EIDSON SAYS, FOR CATHOLICS, LENT IS A TIME OF PENANCE AND SELF-
EIDSON SAYS IT'S THE VERY IDEA OF GIVING UP SOMETHING YOU LOVE THAT LEADS TO A COMMON MISCONCEPTION OF LENT.
FOR MANY, THE ACT OF GIVING UP SOMETHING YOU LOVE PRODUCES A POSITIVE EFFECT.
ALISHA BUTEL IS A SOPHMORE AT SMS AND A MEMBER OF THE CATHOLIC CAMPUS MINISTRIES.
THIS YEAR IT'S MAKING HER FEEL SLEEPY, THOUGH.
FOR THIS SEASON OF LENT, ALISHA SAYS SHE GAVE UP SOMETHING SHE REALLY ENJOYS : SLEEPING IN.
FOR ANY COLLEGE STUDENT, IT SEEMS LIKE SOMETHING THAT WOULD BE PRETTY DIFFICULT.
BUT ALISHA SAYS, SO FAR, SHE'S DOING PRETTY GOOD.
AND BY THE END OF IT ALL, ALISHA SAYS SHE'S LEFT WITH A FEELING OF ACCOMPLISHEMENT.
AND FOR ALL CATHOLICS, THE CULMINATION OF THEIR FORTY DAY ACCOMPLISHEMENT IS JOINED WITH A CELEBRATION CALLED THE EASTER TRIDUUM, IN WHICH THEY CELEBRATE THE PASSION, DEATH AND RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST.
THE EASTER TRIDUUM CONSISTS OF GOOD FRIDAY, HOLY SATURDAY AND EASTER SUNDAY, WHICH THIS YEAR FALLS ON THE 25TH, 26TH AND 27TH .
EASTER TRIDUUM ALSO MARKS THE END OF THE FORTY DAY PERIOD OF LENT.