Ash Wednesday and Vantine’s Day

Ash Wednesday falls the same day as Saint Valentine’s Day this year. People are asking if there is a dispensation from Fasting this year in observance of Valentine. The short answer is no. To explain it further, February 14 on the Church’s calendar is the memorial of Saints Cyril and Methodius, not Saint Valentine. However, Ash Wednesday holds one of the highest standings on the Church’s calendar, and nothing can ever overshadow it. However, please still celebrate Valentine’s Day; I recommend celebrating on Mardi Gras or the day before.

So, what is required of us on Ash Wednesday?

Fasting and Abstinence

Fasting

The minimum requirement for Fasting, as defined by the Church, is that we eat NO MORE than 1 average meal and 2 smaller meals that when added together, equal less than 1 meal. In other words, we are permitted to eat three times on Ash Wednesday, but the total amount we consume should be no more than what we usually eat at 2 separate meals. The Church requires this for every baptized person between the ages of eighteen and fifty-nine. However, if you are exempt by that law and well-bodied and in good health, you should still observe the Fast.

Abstinence

Abstinence is the intentional avoidance of meat. It may not be eaten if it dwells on land or in the sky. If it dwells in water, it may be eaten. Yes, chicken is considered meat. This is also meant to be penitential, so we should probably not have a nice lobster dinner or extravagant seafood feast but keep to the spirit of the penitential day by having modest meals.Animal by-products such as eggs and dairy are acceptable. This law is mandatory for those between the ages of fourteen and fifty-nine. Again, if you are well-bodied, in good health, and technically exempt, you should still participate in the observance of the Ash Wednesday Abstinence.