In the United States, Valentine’s Day will be celebrated in a peculiar way this year as it coincides with Ash Wednesday. This fact marked the duality between the commercial celebration of love and friendship, with dinners, jewelry, and marriage proposals.
The origin of Valentine’s Day dates back to the festival of Lupercalia in ancient Rome, associated with fertility rites. However, the coincidence of these two dates has led to various interpretations by the religious community.
Some argue that the expression of love, in all its forms, should not be restricted by the constraints of Lent. They believe that love is a positive force that can coexist with spiritual commitment.
On the other hand, some consider that the celebration of Valentine’s Day on Ash Wednesday could be incompatible with the introspective and renunciate tone sought during Lent.
According to the National Retail Federation in the US, 53% of consumers are expected to spend an average of $185 on Valentine’s Day. Of the $25.8 billion spent on Valentine’s Day, jewelry tops the list at $6.4 billion, followed by dining out at $4.9 billion. After the amorous and expensive rites of Valentine’s Day, the Christian celebration involves a period of reflection and a commitment to dietary restrictions and moderation in daily life for forty days.
Religious leaders offer different perspectives on this dilemma, calling for moderation and a balance between the expression of love and the observance of Lenten practices. The Vatican states that the ritual dates back to the eleventh century, but the tradition of marking oneself with ashes, a symbol of mortality, is rooted in ancient Hebrew custom.
This included dressing in sackcloth and covering oneself with ashes as a sign of penance. The duration of the period of contrition imitates Jesus’ withdrawal to the desert, where, according to the Gospels, he fasted and reflected on his mission.
So, as Valentine’s Day and Ash Wednesday coincide this year, it has sparked a series of questions and reflections on the appropriateness of expressing romantic love in the midst of a day dedicated to penitence and spiritual reflection.
