What was your reaction when you realized Ash Wednesday was also on Valentine's Day?
Users across social media told ChurchPOP their opinions about a viral reel published on Instagram in preparation for Ash Wednesday 2024.
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Lenten season. This year, it fell on Feb. 14, also Valentine’s Day.
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The text on the reel reads, “POV: When you realize Ash Wednesday is Feb 14th.” ("POV" means "point of view.")
The video, which generated more than one million views, also features a meme of Ross Gellar, a character from the popular sitcom, "Friends," with a Catholic Church edited in the background.
“I’m fine. Totally fine," Gellar says in the video. "I don’t know why it’s coming out all loud and squeaky because really, I’m fine.”
The reel references the timing of Ash Wednesday this year and how it falls on Feb. 14, Valentine’s Day:
The caption reads, "Are you ready for Lent 2024?! Ash Wednesday is February 14th! How are you preparing for the season of Lent? We’d love to hear from you! 🙏🏻"
After asking for feedback, users flooded the comment section with various reactions to the video.
Many noted how the timing makes Valentine’s Day a little more bearable for Catholic singles.
One user said, “So many of us singles are low-key happy about this!”
Another replied, “Jesus in my valentine this year!”
“It’s gonna be a date with God this year,” another comment reads.
“I’m actually happy about this," another user added. "I won’t be focused on pitying my own loneliness but [rather] fasting for the Lord.”
Some noted the link between the theme of love on both Valentine’s Day and Ash Wednesday.
“Nothing screams love like ‘you are dust and to dust you shall return’ Genesis 3:19,” one user's comment reads. (As of this writing, this comment received almost 200 likes.)
Tagging her significant other, another woman said, “Starting the day with our love for Jesus at church and then ending the day with our love for each other."
Another user added, “We will spend Valentine’s Day with our one true love!”