Not since 1945 has the day of love and affection fallen on the beginning of Lent, causing carnivorous Cupids to rethink steak dinners as a wooing option.
What’s a romantic to do, especially one who’s a devout Christian observant of his faith?
This year, Valentine’s Day — a day of love and affection often expressed indulgently with sweets and steak dinners — falls on Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of Lent, causing carnivorous Cupids pause.
Not since 1945 have the two coincided, and it won’t happen again until 2024 and 2029.
For Christians, the 40 days leading to Easter are a time of repentance and remembrance, a time to reflect on one’s sins and mortality. And Ash Wednesday — which can occur as early as Feb. 4 or as late as March 10 — is a particularly solemn day on the liturgical calendar.
Churches throughout the area commemorate it with services in which ashes are imposed on foreheads reminding the faithful that “dust you are and to dust you shall return.”
Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are “obligatory days of fasting and abstinence” for Catholics age 18 to 59, according to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Abstinence means no meat from chickens, cows, sheep or pigs is to be eaten. However, salt and freshwater fish and shellfish are allowed.
One is “permitted to eat one full meal, as well as two smaller meals that together are not equal to a full meal.” Of course, those who are ill or pregnant are excused from the requirement.
One should also refrain from other indulgences as a penitential practice, according to the conference of bishops.
So Feb. 14, eschew turf and stick to surf.
Last year, St. Patrick’s Day fell on a Friday during Lent, which presented similar consternation for Irish Catholics wanting to consume corned beef and cabbage until Bishop David A. Zubik, head of the Pittsburgh Catholic Diocese, issued a dispensation from the obligation to abstain from meat that day. But he also appealed to those who chose to eat meat “to do another act of self-sacrifice in the spirit of the season of Lent with the mind and the heart of St. Patrick.”
Is another dispensation forthcoming to honor St. Valentine?
"While Bishop Zubik has not yet made a statement about Ash Wednesday falling on Valentine's Day, it would seem most appropriate to celebrate Valentine's Day on another day," said the Rev. Nicholas S. Vaskov, executive director of communications for the Pittsburgh diocese in an email. "Oftentimes, when Valentine's Day falls during the week, this is done out of convenience anyway. Since Ash Wednesday is both a day of abstinence from meat and a day of fasting — smaller meals, no eating between meals — any Valentine's Day meals should be considered in light of the penitential nature of the day."
Many area restaurants include seafood specials on Valentine’s Day and throughout Lent to accommodate those adhering to religious law.
Magg’s Restaurant at Shadow Lakes in Hopewell Township will offer its popular deep-fried haddock with choice of macaroni and cheese or fries and coleslaw, but on Ash Wednesday Chef Art Mangie will also prepare more elaborate seafood treats.
He plans roasted halibut with “love fruit” — San Marzano tomatoes and capers. Maybe you prefer shrimp ravioli with spinach and shishito peppers, a sweet Asian variety. Or gulf shrimp in a light, garlic-lemon cream. The menu also will include roasted salmon with fresh strawberry-balsamic glaze and basil pesto; sauteed flounder with Panko breadcrumbs and soy butter; and lobster tail, of course.
Shakespeare’s Restaurant and Pub at Olde Stonewall Golf Course in North Sewickley Township offers a four-course dinner, according to its website, that includes both meat and meatless choices from appetizers to entrees. For example, salmon confit and Mediterranean beet dip for appetizers; New England clam chowder or pumpkin bisque as soup choices; and twin lobster tails, Cajun orange roughy, salmon fettucini and vegetable quinoa risotto for seafood entrees.
At Grand Valley Inn on Constitution Boulevard in Fallston, seafood lunch choices include tuna melt, fish sliders and coconut shrimp salad; dinner features are salmon salad, shrimp scampi, Maryland-style crab cakes, lemon-butter crumb cod, and lobster tail. These specials will be offered Fridays throughout Lent, too, a spokesperson said.
When Valentine’s Day falls mid-week — even if it’s not Ash Wednesday — Mangie finds it’s a “tough” day to celebrate. Many people, he said, choose to do so the weekend before or after, so that’s an option for the devout, too.
Besides, true romantics don’t need only Valentine’s Day to profess their love.
“My wife is my Valentine’s Day gift every day of the year,” Mangie said.
Still, many venues offer Valentine's specials this weekend and next.
American Serbian Club on Brodhead Road in Aliquippa hosts a Valentine’s Day dinner and dance Feb. 9 with entertainment by Voices (Rudy Zetz, Janet Falotico and Sharon Grey). The menu choices: stuffed chicken, stuffed flounder or stuffed pork chop and includes vegetables, potatoes, salad and rolls. Tickets are $20.
Aliquippa Croatian Center on Concord Street hosts a Valentine’s dance Feb. 17 with music by Touche. A $10 cover includes snacks and prizes.
Also on Feb. 17, Shadow Lakes hosts dance band Casanova in its ballroom and offers a buffet that includes three entrees, accompaniments and dessert for $45 per guest. Magg’s Restaurant that night will feature prime rib, lobster and steak.
Red Barn Players presents a Valentine’s dinner and show — “Love Songs & Other Comedies” — Feb. 9-11 at Shakespeare’s with dinner choices of chicken Romano, apple-bourbon salmon or shrimp Alfredo. Cost is $41.
Of course, there are other options besides food to woo lovers on Valentine’s Day. Consider these:
• “The Shape of Water,” an interspecies romance that’s received 13 Oscar nominations, is playing at area theaters.
• Pittsburgh Ballet Theater presents “Swan Lake,” a love story by Tchaikovsky, Feb. 16-18 and Feb. 23-25 at the Benedum Center. Tickets range from $28 to $109.
• Eric “Erro” Roberson, a pioneer in rhythm and blues and soul music, presents a Valentine’s Day concert at 8 p.m. Feb. 14 at the August Wilson Center for African American Culture in Pittsburgh. Tickets are $41.25.
• “Love Me, Love Me Not Songs of Love and … It’s Complicated” is a Valentine’s Day original comedy and music review Feb. 9 through 11 at The Strand Theater in Zelienople. It features romantic and comedy songs with one-liners about love. Tickets are $25 to $35.
Oh, just a heads-up: Easter falls on April Fool’s Day this year. Check your baskets carefully.