WITH Valentine’s Day and Ash Wednesday falling on the same day, Catholics are faithful being urged to spend February 14 with God instead of their significant other.
Fr. Bryand Restituto, assistant secretary general of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said Valentine’s Day can be celebrated on another day.
“I’m sorry, but the date on that day (Valentine’s Day) will have to wait because it is a date with the Lord. It is really how it should be,” he said.
“Just leave it for the next day since everyday should be a day of love, not just February 14. So, you could actually celebrate it anytime,” he added.
Restituto said observing Ash Wednesday may also be seen as an act of love but in a more spiritual sense.
“This would be the best celebration, a day of penance, a day of forgiveness, a day of mercy, reconciling with God, and reconciling with your love ones,” he said.
He said the Valentine’s Day celebration should not be put ahead of a religious event.
“All these things are of secularist mentality and commercialism,” he said.
Tomorrow, the Catholic faithful is set to observe Ash Wednesday which marks the start of the Lenten Season, by going to the church having a cross of ash marked on their foreheads.
Valentine’s Day is celebrated worldwide with couples going on dates and giving each other gifts and flowers.
