By: Ljubitca Fadic Quijano

Easter is widely celebrated across various Christian denominations, while the observance of Lent—a solemn 40-day period of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving—is more commonly celebrated among traditions that include the Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Lutheran, Methodist, Presbyterian, and Anglican denominations. 

For Junior League of Washington (JLW) member Mia Villamayor (JLW ’24), a young practicing Catholic, Lent and Easter are not only central to her Catholic faith, but deeply formative in her personal life. As someone navigating young adulthood in DC, she sees these seasons as grounding rhythms—ones that continually call her back to Christ. “To me, Lent is that sweet invitation to return to the Lord with my whole heart,” she shares. “It gives us 40 days to walk with Jesus into the wilderness, letting Him reveal what truly fills our cups. This sacred time reminds me that we wholly depend on God’s grace, gently calling us to conversion as we prepare for the glory of Easter.”

Living Out the Pillars of Lent
Rather than viewing Lent’s three traditional pillars—prayer, fasting, and almsgiving—as obligations, Villamayor embraces them as meaningful invitations to open her heart to His grace and draw closer to God. “Prayer becomes that quiet space where I meet the Lord anew, slowly recognizing His voice above the noise,” she says. “Fasting reveals my attachments and reminds me of my hunger for more than this world has to offer. Almsgiving stretches my heart toward others, showing me that everything is a gift and inviting me to share with the same generosity Christ shows me.”

Mia Villamayor on Ash Wednesday, which marks the start of the Lenten season

When asked which part of Lent resonates most deeply, Villamayor pointed immediately to Holy Week. For her, it’s not just a series of liturgies—it’s the heart of the Christian story. “Holy Week unfolds like a love letter, inviting us into the most magnificent story ever told,” she reflects. “The beauty of the Sacred Triduum speaks deeply to my heart, especially watching families gather to celebrate these holy mysteries together. There’s something particularly gorgeous about the progression from the solemnity of Good Friday to the breathtaking joy of the Easter Vigil, reminding us that suffering is never the end of the story.”

Faith in Transition

Reflecting on one of her most memorable Lenten seasons, Villamayor recalls a deeply formative time—one shaped by discomfort and change: her first Lent after moving to Washington, DC. “The cold winter mirrored my interior journey as excitement about my new job faded into unexpected loneliness,” she recalls. “Discovering the Hallow app’s Pray40 challenge became my daily anchor, offering warmth when everything felt increasingly frigid. That season taught me how God meets us in transitions, and now, each year, returning to Hallow’s Pray40 reminds me of when I learned that sometimes our deepest growth happens in seasons of holy discomfort.”

This year’s Lenten season was marked by subtle, yet meaningful shifts in routine—ones that brought Mia closer to God in the stillness of her mornings. “This Lent revealed how easily the world’s noise drowns out God’s still, small voice calling us to deeper intimacy,” she shares. “The simple practice of increased morning prayer before scrolling through my phone created space for His whispers to take root. I’ve learned that transformation happens in these small, intentional choices that allow grace to enter our everyday moments.”

Holding the Tension: Sorrow, Joy, and the Grace of Both

After 40 days of reflection and sacrifice, Easter arrived with breathtaking clarity. For Villamayor, its significance is more than symbolic—it’s deeply personal. “Easter whispers hope into every dark corner of my heart, reminding me that Christ has conquered even death itself. It grounds my faith in the certainty that God keeps His promises, no matter how impossible they seem,” she expressed. “This feast reminds me that resurrection follows every Good Friday and that God is faithful even when I can’t see the way forward.”

Though she’s still early in establishing her own traditions, Vilamayor finds comfort in the familiar and joy in new experiences. “Easter Sunday reminds me of the joy of childhood, attending morning Mass surrounded by families with little ones dressed in their Easter best,” she says. “While my mom always preferred the profound beauty of the Easter Vigil, I’ve found myself drawn to the simpler Sunday morning liturgy these days. This past Easter, I enjoyed joining the Cathedral Young Adults from St. Matthew’s for brunch after Mass. If I someday have a family of my own, I imagine I’ll return to my family’s tradition of the Easter Vigil, passing down that sacred experience just as it was shared with me.”

Mia celebrating Easter Sunday with the Cathedral Young Adults at St. Matthew’s Cathedral in Dupont Circle. 

A joyful Easter Sunday brunch, celebrated in the warmth of community and accompanied by delicious food.

Villamayor shares that the seasons of Lent and Easter are not only marked by personal prayer—they’re anchored in the rhythm of the Church and the support of her community. “Friday Stations of the Cross create a beautiful rhythm to Lent, helping our family walk with Jesus week by week toward Calvary,” she shares. “The Easter Vigil reveals the Gospel through all our senses as we move from darkness to light, from waiting to celebration. I also treasure how parishes decorate their sanctuaries with white lilies on Easter morning, their fragrance filling the space as a sensory reminder of the new life Christ brings to each of us.”

Perhaps one of Mia’s most moving insights is how she has learned to hold both the pain of Lent and the joy of Easter together in tension—without needing to rush past one to get to the other. “Carving out quiet morning prayer time helps ground me when the spiritual intensity of Lent feels particularly challenging,” she shares. “I’ve learned to honor both the solemnity of the Triduum and the exuberant joy of Easter Sunday, recognizing that each enriches the other. This balance reflects the truth that our deepest gratitude often flows from places where we’ve walked through difficulty with Christ and experienced His faithful presence carrying us through.”

Villamayor’s honest and heartfelt reflections offer more than a window into Catholic tradition—they reveal a faith that is deeply personal, quietly resilient, and vibrantly alive. Through moments of solitude and celebration, struggle and renewal, Lent and Easter become not just seasonal markers, but sacred rhythms that shape how she lives, loves, and listens for God. Her journey reminds us that grace isn’t confined to the altar; it touches our everyday lives, gradually transforming our hearts, one still moment at a time.