"Observing Ash Wednesday and Valentine's Day: Significance, Traditions, and Fasting Rules Explained"

This year, Valentine's Day and Ash Wednesday coincide, as Easter determines the date of Ash Wednesday, which is a day of fasting and reflection for Christians. The ashes used on Ash Wednesday typically come from palms used on Palm Sunday, and Catholics are advised to prioritize the solemnity of Ash Wednesday over Valentine's Day celebrations, as it marks the beginning of Lent. St. Valentine, the namesake of Valentine's Day, was a third-century Christian martyr, and the emphasis on love in the holiday came later.