Once a year, the University campus looks a little different. There’s not a big celebration, or additional decorations or people in costumes. There are just ashes.

“They’re a reminder that we’re human, and we can err, but there’s still a possibility for forgiveness,” said Katie Eichstaedt, senior in LAS.

In the Catholic Church, Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the 40-day period called Lent that leads up to Easter. On Ash Wednesday, Catholics receive a mark of ashes on their foreheads to signify the call to repentance that accompanies the Lenten journey.

Katie Ulivi, Eichstaedt’s roommate, agreed with her about the meaning of the ashes.

“I like to get them as a reminder,” Ulivi, junior in LAS, said.

Last year, St. John’s Catholic Chapel, located at Sixth and Armory streets in Champaign, had about 10,000 people receive ashes on Ash Wednesday, said Whitney Rossmiller, a Sacristan at the chapel.

“We’re expecting around the same number again,” she said.

On a typical weekend, about 1,000 people celebrate Mass at St. John’s. On Ash Wednesday, the church serves Catholics as well as nonCatholics, which may be the cause behind the increased numbers.

St. John’s is adding an additional ash service on the Quad for nonCatholics. This service will not include a Mass, Rossmiller said.

Another reason for the large crowds on Ash Wednesday is the tradition behind the ashes. People who may not necessarily attend Mass regularly might still want to come and get ashes as a way to begin Lent, she said.

“It’s not a Holy Day of Obligation,” Rossmiller said. “Lent must be a tradition a lot of people have in their families, regardless of their church attendance.”

Chip Block, freshman in ACES, said he wants to get ashes to continue family customs.

“It’s kind of a tradition,” he said. “When I was little, I was taught to go.”

His roommate, Danny Reiter, said that he would not be going to one of the ash services.

“I’m not really religious,” Reiter, freshman in LAS, said.

However, Rossmiller said that the chapel tends to fill up quickly on Ash Wednesday, which is why St. John’s will be having additional “overflow” Masses in the Monsignor Swetland Room in the Newman Center.

“It’s a great way to kick off Lent,” she said.

Wednesday’s services

Ash Wednesday Masses in St. John’s Catholic Chapel:

8 a.m., 12:05 p.m., 5 p.m., 7 p.m. (in Spanish), 9 p.m.

Ash Wednesday “overflow” Masses in Monsignor Swetland room:

12:15 p.m., 5:15 p.m., 9:15 p.m.

Services at Episcopal Chapel of St. John the Divine. 12:10 p.m., 5:30 p.m.

Additional services for Ash service on the Quad. 1:45 p.m., confessions in chapel 4 p.m.