History of Saint Valentine

Submitted by Autourina Mains
Posted 2/9/23

In just a few days we will be celebrating Valentine’s Day. You may not realize it but Valentine is a well-known third century Roman saint. He was a priest during a time when Christianity …

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History of Saint Valentine

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In just a few days we will be celebrating Valentine’s Day. You may not realize it but Valentine is a well-known third century Roman saint. He was a priest during a time when Christianity was not accepted and Christians were persecuted. Although Christians were persecuted, Valentine never stopped evangelizing and helping Christians. His love for Christ surpassed concerns for his own welfare. He was arrested several times and during one of his arrests, he tried to convert the judge. The judge gave Valentine a challenge “if you can heal my blind daughter, I will do as you ask.” The judge brought his blind daughter to Valentine and Valentine laid his hands on the girl and prayed. The girl was healed, and the judge kept his promise and broke all the idol statues in his house and released Valentine and all the Christians from prison. 

Valentine showed mercy and love towards the imprisoned by taking them food and medicine and tending to their physical as well as spiritual needs. He was imprisoned again during Emperor Claudius II’ reign for secretly marrying Christian couples because Claudius had put a ban on marriages. In an effort to preserve the sanctity of marriage, Valentine performed many marriages in secret while in prison. Valentine and the judge’s girl he had healed from blindness kept in touch as she often visited him in prison. Before Valentine was beaten and beheaded, he left a note for the young lady and signed it “Your Valentine.”

The life of Valentine teaches us the true meaning of love; to lay one’s life for the good of others. Valentine’s love of our Lord led him to go against societal values of his time that banned marriage and religious freedom. Love is often perceived as an emotion when it is far more than just an emotion. Love is a commitment to do what is right and good for others even when we don’t feel like it. Saint Valentine’s work is very similar to what we do in our daily lives. As parents you love your children and even though you may be exhausted, you make sure they are fed, have clean clothes and have a safe, clean home. The care you provide for your family is charitable work you are performing within your own family. As is said in 1 Timothy 5:8, “Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” You may not realize it but whenever you are providing care, love, council to another whether it’s your family, friend or stranger, you are doing God’s work and working towards sainthood. 

Valentine never gave up on anyone as is obvious with the story of healing the daughter of a judge who had imprisoned him. We too must never give up on anyone regardless of the decisions they are making. I have never liked the phrase ‘he/she is a lost cause’ because with God all things are possible, and Saint Valentine knew that. Every life is planned by God and is precious. Valentine is known as patron saint for many things such as epilepsy, fainting, travelers, marriage and young people. Hope you have a Saint Valentine’s Day full of love.   

 Autourina Mains

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