Valentine’s Day
St. Valentine’s Day is celebrated throughout the world on February 14th every year. Love, romance, and kindness are shared with others through the giving of gifts such as candy, cards, flowers, and jewelry. The color red is associated with St. Valentine’s Day, along with chocolate, Cupid, and the shape of a heart.
History
Valentine lived from approximately 175 AD to 269 AD. It was during the years of the Roman Emperor Claudius II (268 AD to 270 AD) that Valentine was brought into captivity. Claudius II fought many wars during his reign and needed the enlistment of many men to fight these wars. However, the men were not coming forth to enlist as soldiers.
Claudius II assumed the men were not enlisting because they were married and had families. He issued a ruling that single men were not to marry, which would lead to their enlistment into the army. Valentine, a priest, did not abide by this ruling. He secretly married many couples and also helped many persecuted Christians.
Claudius II found out about Valentine’s disobedience and imprisoned him. Claudius II tried to convince Valentine to worship idols and to give up his deep faith in Christianity, but Valentine refused. Instead of accepting the idol-worshipping custom, Valentine tried to convert Claudius II to Christianity.
While in prison, Valentine prayed daily to God. One guard, who overheard Valentine praying, requested a special prayer for the healing of his daughter, who was blind. Valentine prayed to God for the restoration of the daughter’s sight. In time, the daughter’s sight was restored.
Claudius II did not acquit Valentine of his disobedience. Around 269 AD, Valentine was beheaded for his disregard of the law and for his refusal to renounce his faith in Christianity. In 496 AD, Pope Gelasius proclaimed February 14th as the day on which St. Valentine would be honored for his martyrdom.
February 14th was believed to be the day on which St. Valentine died. St. Valentine is the patron saint of engaged couples, lovers, beekeepers, greetings, love, travelers, and young people. He is also the patron saint against the plague, fainting, and epilepsy.
The first Valentine’s Day cards were handmade with ribbons and lace. In 1847, Esther Howland of Worcester, Massachusetts, began the mass printing of Valentine’s Day cards. Since then, the practice of gifting a card to a loved one has become popular.
In today’s world, other gifts are also given to those who are smitten with each other or who care for each other. Gifts can include a special dinner, a perfectly chosen card, a special bouquet, or any special love from the heart. Only one’s imagination is needed to fulfill the love for this day.
