With ash crosses marking their foreheads, many campus Christians celebrated the start of Lent – the 40-day period between Ash Wednesday and the Saturday before Easter – by making symbolic sacrifices and attending packed services yesterday.

Father Paul Helfrich, Catholic chaplain at Boston University, said although Sunday masses usually only bring about 650 students, he expected about 1,300 students at the four Catholic mass services held at Marsh Chapel yesterday.

“Most Catholics understand the need to take some steps to reinvigorate and renew their spiritual life, and Ash Wednesday provides a great opportunity to do that,” he said.

United Church of Christ minister and associate dean of Marsh Chapel the Rev. James Olson said Ash Wednesday is observed by all western Christians – including non-Catholics.

During the Season of Lent, Christians make sacrifices to prepare for the Easter celebration.

Helfrich said the Catholic Center holds additional masses and community service programs for students observing Lent, which are meant to help students resist tempting situations and stick to their sacrifices.

Boston College Associate Campus Minister Ellen Modica said Ash Wednesday mass at the Jesuit university is well-attended by students because the other two major holidays, Christmas and Easter, occur during school breaks.

She estimated more than 2,000 students attended mass at BC yesterday – twice the normal Sunday mass attendance.

“Being together [during this time] as a community of believers is important to many students,” she said.

Early yesterday morning, College of Arts and Sciences freshman Sam Cerra and College of Engineering freshman Francis Escobedo sat in the Warren Towers dining hall with fresh crosses of ash on their foreheads.

Both students, who just came from mass, said while a number of Christians do not attend mass, among those who do, a large number often break their Lenten promises before the end of the 40-day period.

Cerra said she would likely not attend more mass during the season than she normally does.

“I feel a little self-conscious,” she said, “but we’re supposed to start being better people today.”

Escobedo, who resolved to stop skipping classes for Lent, said he tried to give up soda last year.

“I cracked on the first day,” he said.

Olson, who gave the homily at the Ecumenical University mass last night, said unlike Roman Catholics, Protestants are not obligated to perform additional prayers and fasting during Lent.

However, many still choose to make a sacrifice or take on additional activities like Bible study, he said.

“It’s still a period of penitence, prayer and introspection,” he said.