So so true.
My parents were married 77 years ago on St. Valentine's feast day. I don't know if they were aware of this fact, but certainly knew nothing of Valentine's Day.
Anyway Happy Feast of St Valentine!
St Valentine, Priest and Martyr
Valentinus, was a priest and a physician in Rome, who assisted the martyrs during the persecution under Claudius II.
Though far removed from the saccharine customs and fancies that now surround his name, his memory shines in the darkest age of persecution as one who helped the followers of Jesus, as one who proclaimed the Good News. Out of the night would come a secret message or through the darkness an unknown hand, bringing hope and comfort. We can imagine what it would mean to some imprisoned or tormented spirit, and the thrill it would bring, that someone loved and cared. Valentine was that unknown benefactor, the secret friend of the martyrs, who gloried in the work of their rescue.
His great virtue and influence became known, and he was apprehended and brought before the emperor’s tribunal. “Why, Valentine, do you want to be the friend of our enemies and reject our friendship?”
The Christian priest replied, “My Lord, if you knew the gift of God, you would be happy, and your empire with you; you would reject the cult of your idols and would adore the true God and His Son Jesus Christ.”
One of the judges interrupted, asking Valentinus what he thought of Jupiter and Mercury. “That they were miserable, and spent all their lives in debauchery and crime!”
The judge, furious, cried, “He has blasphemed against the gods and against the empire!”
The emperor nonetheless continued his questioning with curiosity, pleased to have this opportunity to know what Christians thought. Valentine had the courage to exhort him to do penance for the blood of Christians which he had shed. “Believe in Jesus Christ, be baptized and you will be saved, and already in this life you will insure your empire’s glory and the triumph of your arms.”
Claudius began to be convinced, and said to those in attendance, “Hear the beautiful doctrine this man is teaching us!” But the prefect of Rome, dissatisfied, cried out, “See how this Christian is seducing our prince!” Claudius, weakening, abandoned the holy priest to another judge.
This man, named Asterius, had an adopted daughter, Julia, who had been blind for two years. Hearing of Jesus Christ, the Light of the world, he asked Valentine if he could convey that light to his child. Saint Valentine placed his hand on her eyes and prayed: “Lord Jesus Christ, true Light, illuminate this blind child!” The child saw, and the Judge with all his family confessed Christ and received Baptism.
This led to Valentine's further punishment, for it roused the anger of Emperor Claudius, who condemned him to be beaten with clubs, then beheaded.
On the eve of his death, Valentinus wrote a last note to Julia telling her to always stay close to God. With several other Christians Saint Valentine was tortured and martyred on 14th February in the year 268.
Asterius and his entire family are also said to have been martyred.
This illustrious martyr has always been held in great honor in Rome, where there still exists a catacomb named for him. A little after Valentine's execution, a pious matron named Sabinilla claimed his body and buried it on her property on the Via Flaminia, where a basilica was erected in 350. His relics were translated to the Church of Saint Praxedes.
Valentine is the patron of beekeepers, engaged couples, travellers, and young people. He is invoked against epilepsy, fainting, plague, and for a happy marriage.
Topic: Valentine's Day Scam (Read 831 times)