Observant Catholics face a significant choice this week: Do they fast for Ash Wednesday or feast on chocolates for Valentine’s Day?

Those hoping for a dispensation to consume candy are out of luck. The Diocese of Arlington, Virginia, isn’t providing any.

“Many Catholics are moving their personal observance of Valentine’s Day to today (Feb. 13), which happens to be Mardi Gras, a day when Christians celebrate prior to the penitential season of Lent,” diocese spokeswoman Mary Shaffrey said via email.

Catholics are “still obliged to fast on Ash Wednesday,” even though it falls on Valentine’s Day this year, says the Rev. Dustin Dowd, who heads the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ divine worship secretariat.

Speaking on the “Catholic Current” podcast, he noted that there are two annual fast days — Ash Wednesday and Good Friday — that Catholics between 18 and 59 years old are required to observe.

Father Dowd described Ash Wednesday’s fast as “one full meal and … two smaller meals,” and said couples who want to celebrate the lover’s feast day could reserve the one full meal they’re allowed for dinner, as that “really enriches [their] celebration of Valentine’s Day.”

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, a 40-day period of penance and reflection that ends on Easter Sunday — March 31 this year.

Valentine’s Day commemorates St. Valentine, who married couples in secret when Roman Emperor Claudius banned marriage, according to a Catholic News Agency report.