Almost every trend line in Christian engagement and church participation today slopes downward. Study after study reinforces the sobering reality of religious disaffiliation. Yet there is good news: Each Ash Wednesday, our pews are overflowing.
While weekly Mass attendance (among self-identified Catholics) hovers around 25 percent on any given Sunday, that number more than doubles on Ash Wednesday. Among young adults in their 20s and 30s—the generations most disconnected from religious practice—the number of individuals who receive ashes triples from their average engagement (from 14 percent to 41 percent), according to statistics from the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate.
That same study shows that upwards of 64 percent of all self-identified Catholics abstain from eating meat on Fridays in Lent and significant amounts of young people, including many who are otherwise disaffiliated, give up something for or engage in positive acts during the Lenten season.
These staggering numbers go squarely against the observations of pundits and prognosticators who claim that most Americans, especially youth and young adults, are done with religion. Each Lent, this phenomenon tells a different story. We do not often tell this story, even though many of us could verify these statistics as we struggle to find a seat in crowded churches on Ash Wednesday. The very thing that many active churchgoers wish for (“if only more people would come to Mass”) finally comes to pass.
To truly know why a person receives ashes, chooses not to eat meat on Fridays, or changes habits in Lent, we should engage in dialogue with that individual: Ask and listen.
The reasons for this phenomenon are often as varied as the number of people in the pews. As “Lumen Gentium” noted, “All the faithful, whatever their condition or state, are called by the Lord, each in his (or her) own way” (No. 11). Every story is unique, and each reason is distinct. It can be tempting to make presumptions or judgments, but this does nothing but distance us from each returning soul.
To truly know why a person receives ashes, chooses not to eat meat on Fridays, or changes habits in Lent, we should engage in dialogue with that individual: Ask and listen. The stories we hear may surprise and inspire us. This has been true for me in my years as a pastoral ministry leader in the church.
There are several common threads that have emerged in my listening with people, despite the very specific nuances of each one’s story. These threads are not exhaustive by any means, but they help me to better understand this incredible phenomenon and the people I have come to know.
When experiences of Lent are streamlined, calm and quiet, many people find the peace and refuge they so desperately crave amid the craziness of life.
Lent as a moment of rest and refuge.
For those overwhelmed by life, Lent can be a sanctuary. The liturgical season’s slowness and gentleness are welcome experiences for individuals impacted by stress and anxiety, mental or physical health concerns, economic uncertainty, incessant polarization and many other factors. Lent offers people a chance to slow down and regroup. When experiences of Lent are streamlined, calm and quiet, many people find the peace and refuge they so desperately crave amid the craziness of life.
Lent as a spiritual oasis.
Even among those who are disconnected from religious institutions, there is a spiritual longing and deep-seated desire for God’s presence. Some call those individuals “spiritual but not religious.” No matter the name, a good number do find solace in the spirituality of the Lenten season. The focus on the life and passion of Jesus, the simple yet profound prayers and devotions of Lent, and the tangible experience of ashes smudged on the forehead make faith accessible to many who long for the season’s holiness.
Lent as an attainable goal.
To commit to a 40-day fast is quite “doable” to many people. Receiving ashes, refraining from eating meat for six Fridays, and giving up at least one thing for the season are not insurmountable tasks. For generations accustomed to various endurance challenges (i.e., Dry January, meatless Mondays, etc.), the Lenten journey is not that difficult, relatively speaking. The attainable goal of committing to Lent practices give many people some assurance that they can handle whatever life throws their way.
Ash Wednesday is like a second New Year’s Day.
Lent as a second chance.
With its emphasis on repentance and renewal, Ash Wednesday is like a second New Year’s Day. Recognizing imperfections and shortcomings, the Lenten season offers people a chance to make a resolution to be and to do better. The mark of ashes on the forehead signals a fresh start. For those who seek to “reinvent themselves,” Lent provides a welcome opportunity to expunge bad habits, build up new confidence to face temptations, and reexamine their life plan.
Lent as a reminder of family and traditions.
Some of the most common things I hear in Lent are “This reminds me of my family” (or “my parents” or “my grandparents”) and “I do this because I’m Catholic” (or “Christian”). Many receive ashes or engage in Lenten practices because they are traditions passed down to them by family. As we age, we often long to go back to our origins, tap into our past, and do things to honor our mothers, fathers, family members or cultural communities. Such longing brings many to return to church each Lent.
Lent as an accomplishment.
The fear of failure is rampant today. Within a social media culture especially, our “imperfect” lives are constantly visible to others, and we see how “perfect” everyone else’s life seems to be. Faced with this, people revert inward and detach from commitment, fearing these risks could lead to another failure. Yet receiving ashes, making it through a meatless Friday, or putting a few coins in a CRS Rice Bowl are powerful accomplishments in this day and age, and bring many to engage in the Lenten journey.
Lent as a season of belonging.
On Ash Wednesday, when I see a stranger with ashes on their head, I immediately feel a sense of connection to that person. I may not know who they are, but I know we both belong to something bigger. In an age of great isolation and loneliness, Lent reminds us there are many others walking along the same path. For 40 days, we are truly a “community on a journey,” as Pope Francis writes in “Christus Vivit.” This Lenten togetherness builds up a sense of belonging, which is something very attractive for those who feel alone and detached.
If those who more regularly frequent the pews began to view Lent as a time of great evangelization and missionary accompaniment, we might be able to move some of these connections from fleeting to forever.
However, these movements toward Lent, regardless of the particular reason, are very momentary. For some, it is a 40-day experience, fading once Easter arrives. For others, it is just a Friday thing. And for many more, it may only last for an hour or so on Ash Wednesday. Many of our parishes’ Lenten guests may not return to church for another year, especially if there is no one there to support them.
But if those who more regularly frequent the pews began to view Lent as a time of great evangelization and missionary accompaniment, we might be able to move some of these connections from fleeting to forever.
Just imagine what would happen if all the people of the church were attentive and present to those who reconnect on Ash Wednesday and during Lent. Just imagine if they knew of Jesus’ compassionate mercy and boundless love through the actions of the active churchgoers they encounter in Lent.
Our evangelization can take the form of a welcome spirit in our churches and with our families and friends at home, at work, at school and in the community. Getting to know the story of a newcomer and gently reaching out to support them in their joys and struggles can go a long way to turning a forgettable moment of return into a memorable milestone along the journey of faith.
We can all do something. Little steps can take us far. The overwhelming statistics about religious disaffiliation may seem insurmountable, but if only a few of us started engaging in missionary accompaniment on Ash Wednesday and throughout the season of Lent, the tide may be able to turn.
