St. Gregory School third-grader Luisa Kreiser receives ashes at St. Gregory Roman Catholic Church in Zelienople on Ash Wednesday two years ago. Ash Wednesday falling on the same date as Valentine's Day this has moved some schools' Valentine observances to Fat Tuesday.

Thanks to a quirk in the liturgical calendar, some Catholic school students in Butler County will be celebrating Valentine's Day early next week.

This year, Valentine's Day, Feb. 14, a day associated with romantic love, chocolate, candy hearts, and gifts, coincides with Ash Wednesday, which begins the penitential season of Lent with a day of fasting, abstinence, and prayer.

That's something that hasn't happened since 1956, said the Rev. Nick Vaskov, communications director for the Pittsbugh Diocese.

“While there's nothing specifically toward the schools, the bishop (David Zubik) has sent a letter to the priests stressing the importance of Ash Wednesday,” said Vaskov. “And the not eating of meat and fasting and maybe take a look at celebrating Valentine's Day on another day.”

As far as the administration at Holy Sepulcher School, 6515 Old Route 8 North, Middlesex Township, is concerned fasting and penance take precedence over hearts and flowers.

Kristine Marsico, advancement director at the Catholic school that has 183 students in preschool through 8th grade, said “Students will have their Valentine's party on Fat Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday.

“How they observe Valentine's Day will be determined by each homeroom parent,” said Marsico, “but generally there will be games, snacks and card passing.”

Mardi Gras is traditionally celebrated each year on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. Customary Mardi Gras celebrations include parades, elaborate costumes, and the consumption of pancakes.

“The school will mark Ash Wednesday as it does every year with a Mass for students,” she said.

Cindy Haney, the librarian at St. Gregory Catholic School, 115 Pine St., in Zelienople, said any Valentine's Day activities in the school of 265 students have also been moved to Fat Tuesday.

“It's because of Ash Wednesday,” said Haney. “Kindergarten through third grade will have parties started by the class moms, and there will be treats in the afternoon.”

Haney added, “On Ash Wednesday we always have a Mass at 12:05 p.m. for the people who work in town and for the students. “

“Father Jim Young has it that way so people can come on their lunch hour for Mass and the ashes,” Haney said.

According to Catholic Online, Ash Wednesday comes from the ancient Jewish tradition of penance and fasting. The practice includes the wearing of ashes on the head. The ashes symbolize the dust from which God made us. As the priest applies the ashes to a person's forehead, he speaks the words: “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”

In the eyes of the Catholic Church, Ash Wednesday is a day of penitential prayer and fasting. Some faithful take the rest of the day off work and remain home. It is generally inappropriate to dine out, to shop, or to go about in public after receiving the ashes.

Catholics will not be freed from the laws of fasting and abstinence on Ash Wednesday even if it falls on a day of candy gifts and champagne.

Catholics between the ages of 18 and 59 are required to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.

Catholics 14 and older are also required to abstain from meat on those days, and on Lenten Fridays.

Small children, the elderly and sick are exempt from this observance.

According to the U.S. bishops' conference, a person fasting “is permitted to eat one full meal, as well as two smaller meals that together are not equal to a full meal.”