EYEWITNESS NEWS (WBRE/WYOU)— Valentine’s Day falls on Ash Wednesday this year, so if you’re Catholic you might be asking yourself, “can I eat meat this Valentine’s Day?”
The short answer? Nope.
Bishop Bambera with the Diocese of Scranton made sure to remind Catholics over the age of 18 they should be fasting on Ash Wednesday (Valentine’s Day) and Good Friday (March 29).
In addition, “abstinence from meat is to be observed by all Catholics who are 14 years of age or older. Ash Wednesday, all of the Fridays of Lent, and Good Friday are days of abstinence,” the Diocese of Scranton released in a statement.
The Diocese of Scranton said Ash Wednesday takes precedence over Valentine’s Day, just like it did in 2018.
“Ash Wednesday is the beginning of Lent, a season of grace that challenges us to deepen our relationship with Jesus through prayer, penance, and works of charity. The obligations of fasting and abstinence are naturally the priority in the Catholic community. Its spiritual importance is evidenced by the large number of faithful choosing to attend Mass on this day. Valentine’s Day can appropriately be celebrated on another day, such as the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, which happens to be Mardi Gras, a time of celebration prior to the Lenten journey. That will allow Ash Wednesday to retain its appropriate significance.”
Bishop Bambera
For those who are looking to attend a Holy Hour held by Bishop Bambera this Lenten season, those dates and locations are below:
- Thursday, Feb. 15, 7 p.m. Holy Family Parish, Luzerne
- Tuesday, Feb. 20, 7 p.m. Our Lady of Victory Parish, Tannersville
- Wednesday, Feb. 21, 7 p.m. Most Precious Blood Parish, Hazleton
- Thursday, Feb. 22, 7 p.m. Christ the King Parish, Archbald
- Tuesday, Feb. 27, 7 p.m. Saint Eulalia Parish, Roaring Brook Township
- Wednesday, Feb. 28, 7 p.m. Saint Joseph the Worker Parish, Williamsport
- Thursday, Feb. 29, 7 p.m. Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish, Tunkhannock
- Tuesday, March 5, 7 p.m. Saint Joseph Marello Parish, Pittston
- Wednesday, March 6, 7 p.m. Saint John Neumann Parish, Lords Valley
- Thursday, March 7, 7 p.m. Epiphany Parish, Sayre
- Monday, March 18, 7 p.m. Our Lady of Hope Parish, Wilkes-Barre
- Wednesday, March 20, 7 p.m. Saint Teresa of Calcutta Parish, Scranton
