Diocese of Pittsburgh, Greensburg offer guidelines as Ash Wednesday falls on Valentine's Day

Catholics celebrating Valentine’s Day might want to find a seafood restaurant or meatless dining option — or choose a different day to celebrate altogether.

The Diocese of Pittsburgh and the Diocese of Greensburg confirmed this week that they are adhering to fasting and no meat on Ash Wednesday, which is the start of Lent and this year happens to fall on Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14.

“The observance of Lent, and its beginnings on Ash Wednesday, should always be of primary importance for Catholics,” Diocese of Pittsburgh Bishop David Zubik said in a statement. “For that reason, although some might look for dispensation from the practices of fasting and abstinence from meat to celebrate St. Valentine’s Day, Ash Wednesday is too important, too sacred to make such a concession.”

Zubik said no dispensations from fasting and abstinence will be granted on Feb. 14 in the Diocese of Pittsburgh. He said St. Valentine was exactly that — a Catholic saint — and that he would agree that the celebration that bears his name should take a back seat to Ash Wednesday.

Take this as an opportunity for reflection.

“St. Valentine’s Day is a celebration of love, and real love always finds its source in God,” Zubik said. “ ‘God is love,’ the Bible tells us, and Jesus commanded us to ‘Love one another’ as He first loved us. The love that is shared by couples seeking to celebrate with one another only comes to fruition and perfection when it becomes a mirror reflecting Divine Love.”

Catholic couples are encouraged to celebrate Valentine’s Day on another day, as many already do, the statement said. That way, Ash Wednesday can receive undivided attention. Going to Mass together and receiving ashes together could be a way to spend the day.

“There will not be a dispensation on Ash Wednesday, which in the Catholic Church, is one of two days of fasting and abstinence during Lent, the other being Good Friday,” read an email Wednesday from the Diocese of Greensburg.

This is not the first time something like this has happened.

Last year, the Pittsburgh Pirates home opener fell on Good Friday. The dioceses made the decision that fans would have to find meals at the game other than hot dogs and hamburgers. Pirates President Travis Williams said at the time he couldn’t remember a time when opening day fell on Good Friday.

Last year, St. Patrick’s Day was on a Friday during Lent. For that one, Zubik and Kulick gave their blessing that Catholics could have meat on March 17. The last time St. Patrick’s Day fell on a Friday in Lent was 2017.

The last time Ash Wednesday fell on Valentine’s Day was in 2018.