What does Easter mean to students?

Lilian Casaletto, B.Ed (Hons) Primary, third year.

As a Catholic, Easter is a very spiritual experience to me.

Having been through the contemplative period of Lent, where I try to fast and attend spiritual exercises – and especially during Holy Week, where I participate in liturgical functions and try my best to meditate on the significance of Christ’s suffering and resurrection – Easter is a time of spiritual cleansing and affirmation.

I believe everyone must admit the Easter spirit moves people to ask, reflect and act. One cannot deny Easter seems to bring a rejuvenation of the self. Since Easter comes in spring, nature itself seems to be reborn, and as University students, the Easter holidays act as a wake-up call for us to start preparing for our end- of-year assignments and exams.

Whether Easter truly has a religious significance or not, I think it’s really a question of personal effort.

Daphne Ann Grech, Bachelor of Laws with European Studies, third year.

When I think of Easter, Easter bunnies and chocolate eggs come to mind, unfortunately. However, I think this is because of how we are all bombarded with commercials throughout our everyday lives.

Yet, to me, it’s not only about sweets and family gatherings and laughter. As traditional as it may sound I do believe that ultimately Easter is a time to think about Jesus – the way he died for all of us on the cross. It’s a time to be thankful for everything I have. Unfortunately, not all students place this significance on the feast.

Marsette Xerri, LL.D, first year.

Bringing to mind a spectrum of metaphorical connotations, Easter has always signified glory pursuant to endurance. I believe it is a time easily defined by a series of allegories rooted in the antithesis of omnipotent transcendence and mortal transience. It also allows for self-evaluation, giving weight to those inner aspects that might easily go overlooked.

I’d say that to the majority of students it denotes an assimilation of spirituality, culture and tradition. Nonetheless, many are those who believe it offers the significance on which both the Christian faith and hope hinge.

Many attribute to it a cultural meaning, with all the symbolic events that precede Easter Sunday being brought to the fore, while to another bracket of students it can merely hint at a period during which they can catch up with their studies; a brief holiday to some and sweet-tooth indulgence to others.

Eman Mifsud, B.Sc. Biology and Chemistry, second year.

I believe it is the central feast for Christians because it is the resurrection of Jesus. One must consider whether at least the majority of students are religious.

I think a considerable number of students are more spiritual rather than religious.

It is difficult to gauge the religious significance of Easter with regard to such students who are more spiritually inclined.

Students having Christian values ingrained in them would, however, appreciate the feast as an occasion to deepen their spiritual relationship with God. This is also helped by the fact that Easter is not as commercial as Christmas.

I believe that in our increasingly secular society, Easter does not bear religious significance to most students, especially those who consider themselves atheists.

Tiziana Azzopardi, B.Sc. Business and Computing, second year.

When I think of Easter I think of Lent. I think about the problems I may have throughout my life and how I can overcome them like Jesus did, though his problems were decidedly more significant than mine.

I think of what Jesus and Mary went through and this gives me strength to deal with my own issues and pray for intercession with them.

University is a place where different minds can exchange thoughts and beliefs. Therefore, not all students, even those within the same religious group, can be expected to give the same importance to religious occasions.

There is a part of the student population which adheres to Christianity and the majority of these would give it due religious significance.