Catholic students describe their experience of Ash Wednesday at American University in Washington, D.C.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — On most days at American University, religious affiliation isn’t something students wear on their sleeves — much less their foreheads. But on Ash Wednesday, Catholic students quite literally do.
The small charcoal cross traced during morning Mass becomes an unmistakable public sign of faith, visible in lecture halls, dining lines and student government meetings.
At a university frequently ranked among the most politically liberal colleges in the country, the ashes stand out. Yet rather than hostility, students say they are usually met with curiosity and conversation.
For many of the university’s Catholic students, that visibility is not accidental. It is intentional.
“It’s definitely a great way to evangelize,” said William Massa, a junior studying political science. “I’ve had a lot of friends who know that I’m Catholic, but they themselves aren’t Catholic, ask what it represents.”
Though raised Catholic, Massa said he did not actively practice his faith until getting involved with AUCatholic during his freshman year. He remembered his first Ash Wednesday Mass on campus as “strange,” recalling classmates stopping him to ask, “What is this? Why do you have a cross and ashes on your forehead?”
That initial discomfort soon faded, however, as Massa found community within the campus Catholic community. Now, he sees those questions as invitations for students who were once in his shoes.
“I think some people may think that since [American] is a very liberal university, there’s no Catholics,” he said. “But there are actually a lot of people on this campus that do have faith.”
That visibility can be powerful — especially at a school where religious belief is often assumed to be peripheral to campus life.
Eric Baber, also a junior studying political science, arrived at American University as an atheist. After encountering the Catholic campus ministry during his freshman year, he converted to Catholicism and now serves as president of AUCatholic’s student leadership team.
“There’s been a lot of times where we’ve had people come into the community for Ash Wednesday because they see another person with ashes,” he told the Register. In previous years, he often noticed classmates bearing ashes whom he hadn’t known were Catholic.
“[Ash Wednesday] is a great way to reach out to people,” he noted. “When I was still converting, it was talking to people of faith that made all the difference.”
“The ashes are a sign of my faith,” added sophomore Caroline Lindquist. “A lot of people are more willing to learn about it and respect each other’s values than you would think at American.”
Students who attended the 8:30 a.m. Ash Wednesday Mass at the Kay Spiritual Life Center described their experiences expressing their faith on campus as largely positive.
“We all express our different religions and faith on campus,” said Ange Saucedo, a freshman studying international relations. “But to have my ashes out today and proudly express my Catholic faith is such a beautiful experience on a secular campus.”
That witness, according to students and staff at AUCatholic, is often the first step in welcoming people into the Church.
Volunteer missionary Colin Thibault told the Register that when the ministry sets up a table on campus, members often notice students “eyeing the table” as if they want “to learn more,” but ultimately walking past — afraid of being judged or of not knowing enough about the faith.
“Ash Wednesday is a great opportunity to invite people back to their faith and into a relationship with Christ,” he added. “As we enter into the season of Lent, of penance and reconciliation, we can reach so many more students through this witness.”
Like many campus ministries across the country, Ash Wednesday is one of the best-attended days of the year at American, drawing students who may not regularly go to Mass but still desire the ashes.
“This is one time of the year where we have a very prominent physical sign that we are Christians, and that we live for the Lord and die to ourselves,” said campus minister Allie Vega.
“The ashes are a sign of humility — to remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return,” she added. “It’s a great opportunity to grow in [humility] and to be an ambassador for Christ.”
And her advice to those students intrigued by the ashes but hesitant to bear them publicly?
“Go out with a lot of humility, but also confidence in the Lord,” she said. “Use Ash Wednesday as an opportunity to share a big part of who you are with people who may not understand it.”
