This year, Ash Wednesday falls on Valentine’s Day. We are not dispensed from fasting and abstinence requirements on that day, so please make your Valentine’s Day plans accordingly!
From the diocese:
Ash Wednesday falls on February 14, 2024. The blessing and distribution of ashes at Mass occurs after the homily, using the ritual texts in the Roman Missal. Directives for distributing ashes outside Mass during a Liturgy of the Word can be found in the Roman Missal following the Prayer Over the People for Mass on Ash Wednesday.
The Book of Blessings(nos. 1656-1678) includes a similar rite (without the blessing of ashes) which can be used by lay ministers when taking blessed ashes to the sick and homebound.
Ash Wednesday is a day of universal fast and abstinence in the Church. Since February 14 is celebrated by many couples as Valentine’s Day, parishioners should be reminded of the norms governing fasting and abstinence from meat since no dispensation will be given for this day which marks the solemn beginning of Lent.