Feast or fast? Lent begins on Valentine’s Day this year (copy)

By Charles Christian

This Feb. 14, many Christians are faced with two very different commemorations on the same day.

Valentine’s Day, celebrated on Feb. 14, coincides this year with the beginning of the season of Lent. Lent begins with a worship service called Ash Wednesday. Lent is a 40-day time of fasting, reflection and preparation leading to Easter. Father Stephen Hansen, who leads the Cathedral of St. Joseph, said that these two commemorations occurring on the same day can be a blessing in disguise.

“Love is sacrifice,” Hansen said. “So, to celebrate love, like we always do on Valentine’s Day, we can remember that to make a good relationship, including a good marriage, each couple has to sacrifice.”

For Catholics and many Protestant believers, Lent is a time of fasting from things like meat (during the week) and from other delicacies such as chocolate — a staple of Valentine’s Day celebrations

Hansen suggests allowing these two seemingly opposite commemorations to come together to help couples approach love in a deeper way. He said that the common focus of Valentine’s Day is the romantic element of love, which is good. However, he said, perhaps taking seriously the ideas of sacrifice and of deep devotion that is the emphasis of Lent can help couples deepen their commitments not only to God, but also to one another.

“Real love is when we deny ourselves for the good of the other,” Hansen said. “So, maybe these two celebrations happening simultaneously can in some ways make this the best Valentine’s Day of all.”

Cheryl Magness, the managing editor for the official paper of the Missouri Synod Lutheran denomination, echoed this sentiment.

“For Christians,” Magness said, “the connection is that the only reason we are capable of showing any kind of love to one another is that Christ first showed love to us.”

She added that the sacrificial element of love as portrayed in the story of Jesus Christ is something that can be embraced, while still enjoying the romantic aspects that Valentine’s Day entails.

Hansen said that since those who observe Ash Wednesday view it as a day of avoiding desserts and having smaller meals, perhaps keeping this tradition together on Valentine’s Day can strengthen the faith of both members of the couple.

“If you deny yourselves the candy and desserts on that day and opt for the two small meals,” Hansen said, “you can perhaps extend your Valentine’s Day celebration and enjoy it more on Thursday.”