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Ash Wednesday: Start of the Lenten Season
Ash Wednesday is not a holy day of obligation, but Mass attendance is encouraged. Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are obligatory days of fasting and abstinence for Catholics. In addition, Fridays during Lent are obligatory days of abstinence. Plan ahead: This year Ash Wednesday falls on February 14, also Valentine’s Day. Since concurrence with Valentine’s Day does not diminish Ash Wednesday’s penitential spirit or required fast and abstinence, it is recommended that Valentine’s celebrations be observed on another day.