When we return from our half-term break, it will be the beginning of Lent. Every time I mention this to the girls, they ask me what I am giving up for Lent. They make various suggestions for a fruitful Lent - giving up chocolate and sweets is big. It comes as a surprise to them when I say that I will not be giving up anything for Lent. Instead, I will be taking something up for Lent. The most exciting aspect of the discussions about Lent is the girls’ enthusiasm. There is a joyfulness about the talks that is infectious. For the girls, giving something up for Lent is a big deal.

The Lent cycle is interesting as it does not leave us in the dark. It offers us a way of speaking about death and new life in symbols and imagery that are child friendly. “Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds” (John 12:24). Ashes symbolize mortality, and Spring is the symbol of new life.

Ashes Spring

Liturgically, the season of Lent marks the start of the redemption cycle. AJ Bethke (South African organist, music composer and liturgist) describes the redemption cycle as a celebration of the mystery of divine suffering and triumph over death. It is essential for us, as a school, to emphasize the theme of redemption. The girls must know that making mistakes is part of the process of learning and that there is always an opportunity to correct errors and to try again.

REVD RAKGADI KHOBO
CHAPLAIN