Ash Wednesday on Valentine's Day calls for deeper love, Catholic educator says

The observance of Ash Wednesday on Valentine’s Day is a call for a “deepening and maturing of love,” a Catholic educator said.

“Valentine's Day is sacred for lovers and (is) the most romantic day to show and give love. But I think we should not only be guided by the heart but also our moral compass. Priority is the key. It calls for a deepening and maturing of love,” Fr. Randy Figuracion, Don Bosco Technical College - Cebu rector, told GMA Integrated News.

“Aside from flowers and chocolates, the deepest language of love is sacrifice. That is what the spirit of Lent is inviting us: To fast and abstain out of love for Jesus,” he added.

Fr. Mhar Balili, Seminaryo Mayor de San Carlos - Cebu rector, explained that Ash Wednesday “marks the beginning of the Season of Lent whereby we are called to do prayer, fasting and abstinence and almsgiving.”

The imposition of ash on the forehead is the traditional ritual performed during Ash Wednesday, which is a reminder for the faithful of “where we came from and where we are headed.”

“The ash also reminds us that to dust we shall return as it calls us to do prayer, fasting and abstinence and almsgiving,” said Balili.

Balili also reminded the faithful that it is not recommended to wipe away the ash from one’s forehead and that even if one does not receive ash, one is still obligated to do fasting and abstinence.

Who should observe fasting and abstinence?

Catholics between the ages of 18 and 59 are required to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.

Meanwhile, all Catholics 14 years old and older must abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday and all the Fridays of Lent.

Figuracion added that the significance of the 40-day Lenten season is for Catholics to be more spiritual and more prayerful.

He also suggested that Catholics enter a 40-day personal retreat or recollection and focus on interior conversion to get rid of bad habits.

“Let’s aim for a little change as a personal gift to Christ,” he said.

“We are already confronted with a lot of problems day by day. Life is already full of sufferings and sacrifices. Lent offers hope. Like Jesus, our cross is an instrument of transformation if we inject faith. No pain, no gain. No cross, no glory. Jesus invites us never to give up. With Jesus, we can go the distance,” he added.

Several Filipino Catholics went to churches early Wednesday morning to attend Mass and have ashes placed on their foreheads, marking the start of the 40-day Lenten season.

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. meanwhile urged the Catholic faithful to reflect in the observance of Ash Wednesday.

''In observing Ash Wednesday, let us all reflect and renew our faith,'' Marcos said in a caption of his photo showing the ash placed on his forehead. —KG, GMA Integrated News