Observant Catholics face a big selection this week: Do they quick for Ash Wednesday or feast on candies for Valentine’s Day?

These hoping for a dispensation to eat sweet are out of luck. The Diocese of Arlington, Virginia, isn’t offering any.

“Many Catholics are transferring their private observance of Valentine’s Day to in the present day (Feb. 13), which occurs to be Mardi Gras, a day when Christians have a good time previous to the penitential season of Lent,” diocese spokeswoman Mary Shaffrey stated by way of electronic mail.

Catholics are “nonetheless obliged to quick on Ash Wednesday,” though it falls on Valentine’s Day this yr, says the Rev. Dustin Dought, who heads the U.S. Convention of Catholic Bishops’ divine worship secretariat.

Talking on the “Catholic Present” podcast, he famous that there are two annual quick days — Ash Wednesday and Good Friday — that Catholics between 18 and 59 years previous are required to watch.

Father Dought described Ash Wednesday’s quick as “one full meal and … two smaller meals,” and stated {couples} who wish to have a good time the lover’s feast day might reserve the one full meal they’re allowed for dinner, as that “actually enriches [their] celebration of Valentine’s Day.”

Ash Wednesday marks the start of Lent, a 40-day interval of penance and reflection that ends on Easter Sunday — March 31 this yr.

Valentine’s Day commemorates St. Valentine, who married {couples} in secret when Roman Emperor Claudius banned marriage, in response to a Catholic Information Company report.