Catholic priest on Valentine's Day-Ash Wednesday: Turn your hearts to God

A Catholic priest reminded Filipinos celebrating Valentine's Day to also turn their hearts to God as today is Ash Wednesday, which marks the start of the 40-day Lenten season.

It was the first time in 73 years that Valentine's Day also fell on the start of the Lenten season, which ends in Marcy 29.

Farther Francis Lucas, president and CEO of the Catholic Media Network (CMN), said in an Unang Balita interview that Ash Wednesday symbolizes humility for sins and recognizes the ashes-to-ashes nature of human life.

Lucas said that in recognition of this, Catholics must go on fasting, abstinence, and turn to charity.

"By the way, hindi obligation ang Ash Wednesday. Pero ang obligation ngayon, ang mananampalataya, ay ang mag-fasting at mag-abstinence," Lucas said.

If Catholics prefer to abstain through other means, Lucas said it is also welcome as long it is aimed at repenting for their sins.

"Ang objective naman nun ay maramdaman mo ang iyong pagiging makasalanan at tsaka pagsisisi mo sa iyong kasalanan kaya ikaw ay nagpepenitensya, nagdidisiplina ka ng sarili mo para maalala mo 'yun," he explained. —Rie Takumi/ALG, GMA News