February 14
Saint Valentine
Bishop, Martyr
(Around 226 – Around 269)
“from your Valentine”
Saint Valentine’s last words in a note signed to a girl he healed
Saint’s Life Story
His Early Life
Valentine was born around 226 A.D. in either Rome or Terni, Italy. The confusion lies in the fact that a Valentine was a priest and a physician from Rome. However, there was also another Valentine, who was Bishop of Interamna (Terni) which is about sixty miles from Rome. This Valentine was scourged, imprisoned, and then beheaded by the order of Placidus, the prefect of Interamna. Many scholars believe that the two Valentines are the same person and that Valentine had been a Roman priest who became the Bishop of Interamna and was brought back to Rome for his execution.
Secret Marriage Ceremonies
Emperor Claudius II Gothicus actually prohibited the marriage of young people because he believed unmarried men were better soldiers. During the time of Valentine, polygamy (multiple wives) was very common. Valentine encouraged couples to marry in the church in spite of the edict. Valentine held the marriage ceremonies in secret.
Imprisoned and Tortured
Eventually, Valentine was caught, imprisoned and tortured. One of his jailers, Asterius, had a daughter, Julia, who was blind. Seeing that Valentine was a man of learning, Asterius asked whether his daughter, Julia, might also be brought to Valentine for lessons.
Jailer’s Daughter Julia
Note to Julia
His Martyrdom
Custome of Sending Valentine Card’s and Gifts
Beatified: Pre-Congregation
Canonized: Pre-Congregation
Feast Day: February 14
Patron Saint: Engaged Couples; Happy Marriages; Lovers
Source:
Reflection
“We love because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19). We celebrate loving and being loved on this special day. Of course, most of us find it easier to love someone who loves us first, and that’s what this verse is about. God loves us first and always; we only need to respond to that love.
Imagine God sending you a valentine note, just as St Valentine did. What would it say inside?
Source: Saint Valentine (d.269) | Saint Mary’s Press (smp.org)
Prayers
Saint Valentine,
You continued your love of Christ and maintained your faith, even when you were imprisoned.
You sent out a simple note the night before you died and then, a little girl’s sight was restored.
May you intercede for us as we try to do simple acts of kindness, not just on St. Valentine’s Day, but every day of our precious lives showing our love to God and one another.
St. Valentine, pray for us. Amen.
Saint Links
Aleteia – St. Valentine’s Day and giving anonymous gifts to the poor
All Saints & Martyrs – Saint Valentine of Rome – Bishop and Christian Martyr
Catholic Exchange – Gentleman Saint: Saint Valentine
Catholic Fire – St. Valentine of Rome, patron of lovers
Catholic News Agency – St. Valentine: How a beheaded martyr became the poster child for romantic love
Catholic Online – St. Valentine
Editions Magnificant – Saint Valentine Priest and Martyr († 268)
Franciscan Media – Who Was St. Valentine?
New Advent – Thurston, H. (1912). St. Valentine. In The Catholic Encyclopedia
Rev Alban Butler’s Lives Of The Saints Complete Edition – St Valentine, Martyr
Saint for a Minute – Saint Valentine of Rome
Saint Mary’s Press – Saint Valentine (d.269)
Saint of the Day – Saint Valentine
uCatholic – St. Valentine
Wikipedia – Saint Valentine
Video Link
St. Valentine – YouTube Video (Catholic Online)