Lovers told: One full meal during V-Day celebration

CEBU, Philippines — Because Valentine’s Day falls on Ash Wednesday,  a church official has advised lovers who are going out on a date tomorrow to choose one full meal during their celebration.

Monsignor Joseph Tan, media liaison officer of the Archdiocese of Cebu, said that Ash Wednesday is an obligatory day of fasting and abstinence for the Catholics. But for most people, especially lovers who will be celebrating Valentine’s Day, it may be hard to fulfill.

“They (couples) can take their one full meal during the Valentines’ dinner,” he said.

“We advise them to celebrate Valentine’s Day in the spirit of fasting and abstinence,” Tan added.

When fasting, he said people from age 18 until 59 are only allowed to eat one full meal for that day while the other two are smaller meals.

He said Catholics should also limit their meals with seafood and vegetables since people 14 years of age and older must abstain from eating meat on Ash Wednesday.

Tan said Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, which is the 40-day period of preparation before the celebration of Easter resurrection. But why is it called Ash Wednesday?

Tan said, on this day, priests in a Mass mark on the faithful’s forehead the ashes that signify the call for penance or renewal.

Religious priest Ric Anthony Reyes said some people may think that it’s a great challenge for Catholics since this coincidence only happens rarely.

“But as a priest it is as well very strategic. The first reading of Ash Wednesday from the Book of Joel challenges everyone to, "rend your hearts not your clothes" a very straight challenge to us on how to direct our hearts,” he said.

Reyes said that Valentine’s Day celebration is about love in general and not just for romantic love.

“Hence, it can be used as a vehicle of the call of Lenten discipline: It’s time to check who is our real love and our real priority,” he said. (FREEMAN)