Let Ash Wednesday Bump Saint Valentine's Day

This year, February 14 presents a conundrum for some Catholics. Saint Valentine's Day and Ash Wednesday are on the same day.  If you want to have a nice Saint Valentine's Day date with dinner, chocolates, candy or dessert, it can't be on Wednesday because on Ash Wednesday we are required to fast (Roman Catholics between the ages of 18 and 59, whose health enables them to fast, are permitted to consume one full meal, along with two smaller meals, which together should not equal the full meal).

My parish priest presented a solution. He began by pointing out that Saint Valentine's Day is not as big of a deal as Ash Wednesday. He said Ash Wednesday begins the great Fast called Lent as a preparation for the holiest day of the year, Easter.

As a way to honor your love for your spouse or significant other, Fat Tuesday would be the ideal day to go out and celebrate. Traditionally, Fat Tuesday or Mardi Gra is an occasion of excess - reflecting the practice of the last night of consuming rich, fatty foods in preparation for the fasting season of Lent. Dinner, chocolates and desserts would fit right in on this day. Father then said, “Uh no! On Wednesday, I won’t be making a shape of a heart with the ashes on your foreheads…don’t even ask!”

So you can bump Saint Valentine's date night to Tuesday followed by taking the one you love with you to receive ashes on Wednesday and to celebrate the beginning of the lenten journey of detachment and death to self, alms giving, fasting, prayer, penitence and service. Your special someone will be impressed by your ability to prioritize religious observances and faith over everything else. If we make this adjustment, this Ash Wednesday will be better as a sign of repentance and resolve, a sign that you understand the true meaning of love...

We have Tuesday to celebrate our natural eros (romantic) love and Wednesday to practice our supernatural agape (self-sacrificial, Christ-like) love. Speaking of self-sacrifice, Saint Valentine himself knew the meaning of true love.

"Valentinus was condemned to death, Claudius commanded that Valentinus either renounce his faith or he would be beaten with clubs and beheaded. Valentinus refused and was executed outside the Flaminian Gate on February 14, 269."(1)