Can Catholics eat meat on Valentine’s Day this year?
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.
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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
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