Catholics in Chicago are being given a reprieve from that most noxious of American holidays: Valentine’s Day. By coincidence, the Christian day of atonement that marks the beginning of Lent, Ash Wednesday, falls on Feb. 14 this year. That overlap led the Archdiocese of Chicago to send a message to parishes last week asking them to urge parishioners to celebrate “the largely secular celebration of Valentine's Day” the day before—on Mardi Gras.
“Catholics throughout the world recognize Ash Wednesday as the solemn beginning of a period of prayerful reflection and penance, as is evident by the large number of church goers on this day,” the statement reads.
“In view of the significance of Ash Wednesday the obligation of fast and abstinence must naturally be the priority in the Catholic community,” it continues. “Valentine's Day can appropriately be celebrated the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday which also happens to be Mardi Gras, a traditionally festive time before beginning our Lenten observance.”
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