Sli Eile, the Jesuit outreach to young adults, is hosting a series of reflection nights throughout the Lenten period to give young people a space to discuss collectively as a community what Lent means to them.

'Lent is for Life' began on Shrove Tuesday with a light-hearted pancake making session, and a quiz on Lent to get people talking and mixing. From this quiz we learned that there was a traditional rush in Ireland to get married before Lent and that the most popular Easter egg last year in Ireland was made by Lily's. But over the over the course of the night, we also learned that Lent is still relevant to young people today, who yearn for an opportunity to find a personal God as much as ever before.

''Lent is a time to give something up or take something on,'' Emily says. ''It is good to challenge yourself, and we don't get an opportunity to challenge ourselves very often these days.''

But the group showed concern that people give up things at Lent only for themselves, like a New Year resolution or a diet, that it did not have a higher purpose, and that this was not the right message.

''During Lent there is an emphasis on giving something up,'' Annie says. ''Maybe there is too much emphasis on that, but it is better than nothing at all. I do think the meaning behind Lent is a bit lost. It should be an opportunity to look deeper. It is a time of waiting.''

Reflection

According to Roisin, Lent is a useful time for reflection. ''You can take a step back and become more aware of others, like your family, and see what they do for you and what it means to make a sacrifice.''

''Lent appeals to me as an opportunity of transformation, to get somewhere I wasn't before, to journey,'' says Ciaran. ''This year I'm planning to do the Camino di Santiago and I know the numbers for the pilgrimage are doubling every year. No matter how technically advanced we get, there is a hunger for spirituality that is increasing. It appeals to our psyche and to our souls.''

Christine agrees that we can get caught up too much with wanting more. ''Lent is like a mini-Lough Derg. It is an opportunity to live simply and to draw nearer to something more, to God.''

The general consensus is that Lent is a time of detoxing, of waiting, of journeying and preparing for the celebration of Easter. It is a time to create a space in your mind, in your heart and in your family to find a connection to a personal God.

Sli Eile is running a 'Lenten Space' every Tuesday night for the next four weeks at 20 Upper Gardiner Street, Dublin 1. They are also offering a 'Thought for the Day' text service throughout Lent. If you would like to take part contact 01-888 0606.