Thomas Kajor is more productive these days. Since Ash Wednesday, Kajor, mechanical engineering sophomore, hasn’t been on Facebook for more than 15 minutes a day — which he attributes to his new-found productivity. Before, Kajor said he easily spent more than an hour a day on Facebook “just wasting time.” And Kendall Voelker, kinesiology freshman, has some extra money — not from saving because of the economic slump, but because she hasn’t had her nails done since Ash Wednesday, and she won’t again until at least Easter Sunday. These sacrifices are part of a familiar tradition in Louisiana. Lent is a time of fasting and prayer. Beginning every year on Ash Wednesday and ending Easter Sunday, Catholics are expected to forgo the consumption of meat every Friday and give up — or “sacrifice” — some additional personal addiction. Louisiana — particularly in southern portions of the state — has a historically large Catholic population. The state has the 12th-highest number of Catholic congregations in the country, according to the Association of Religious Data Archives. There are 1.3 million Catholics in Louisiana, and East Baton Rouge Parish ranks fourth in the number of Catholic “adherents” in the state with 95,878, according to the ARDA. “The purpose of Lent is conversion” said Rev. Than Vu, pastor at Christ the King Parish and Catholic Center.WHAT’S THE DEAL?Vu said this tradition originally began as a way to prepare people for baptism and, as time went on, also became a time for “people to recall our own baptism.” The purpose of sacrificing “something that is precious,” Vu said, is repentance — forgoing an addiction or habit to “turn around more to face God, other people and yourself.”  The addiction each person chooses to sacrifice, Vu said, is a personal decision that can range from alcohol to television to Facebook.As long as the primary goal of the sacrifice is repentance, the kicked addiction is fine, Vu said, no matter how strange those sacrifices might seem to other people.  “I can’t tell you what your addictions are,” Vu said.  While Kajor is satisfied with the extra time he has on his hands now, he’s also made it a point to “make every effort” to attend church on Sunday. “The point is, even after Lent, stick with the goals,” he said. In the past, Kajor said he has tried “going all day without saying negative things about people,” and given up computer games and soft drinks.”I like to look at it as a chance to make yourself a better person,” he said.Voelker said she uses the money she saves from not getting her nails done to make an extra donation to her church — she estimated she’ll save, and donate about $50.  She said when thinking about what to sacrifice each year, she considers “something that has a level of importance.” But Vu said not everyone chooses to sacrifice something in the same way. Other options, like taking on an extra project, are acceptable. Vu said for Lent, he has made it a point to pay at least two visits to sick people per week. He said it’s important to look at “your addictions” and ask yourself what you can do about it.  NOT ONLY CATHOLICSVoelker is a Methodist, and she said she has sacrificed something for Lent since she was a child. Voelker said she knows several other Methodists at her church who also choose to sacrifice something. “I just feel it’s the right thing to do,” she said. Even students who don’t recognize Lent are sometimes still affected by it.  “My best friend is Catholic, and she gives up drinking every Lent … She’s not nearly as fun,” said Pamela Harris, biochemistry senior.  Jessica Walker, English senior, said even though she’s Presbyterian, she’s made sacrifices for Lent before — viewing it as a New Year’s resolution.  “I wouldn’t say I’m a very religious person,” Walker said.  NO MEAT ON FRIDAYBesides the personal sacrifice each person makes, Catholics are expected to abstain from eating meat tomorrow, like all Fridays during Lent. But not everyone finds it easy.”I have this crazy thing about hamburgers,” said Cassandra Rideau, business finance freshman, recalling one year she gave up hamburgers for Lent.  It’s also a practice local restaurants are aware of — with some promoting their seafood dishes and offering special Lent season deals. Serranos Salsa Company started a “Sacrifice Nothing” deal. Ordering any entrée on Fridays during Lent will land patrons a coupon for a free appetizer.Brad Johnson, Serranos kitchen manager, said meat usually outsells seafood by about 40 percent, but last Friday, those numbers were nearly reversed. Karen Vong, American Market employee, said during Lent, there’s a noticeable spike in tuna po-boy and cheese po-boy orders. Alex Box Stadium is even offering shrimp po-boys. Shantell Pearl, head of marketing for Mike Anderson’s Seafood, said business “picks up” on Fridays during Lent.  Vu cautioned against simply replacing meat with seafood on Fridays. He said Lent is a time when people should monitor addictions and “feasting” on seafood may only be replacing one addiction with another — especially in Louisiana where seafood is likely to be the addiction people need to sacrifice. “Feasting on seafood defeats the purpose of Lent,” Vu said. —-Contact Nate Monroe at [email protected]