Who is St Valentine Anyway?

Every February across the country, candy, flowers, and gifts are exchanged between loved ones, and wannabe loved ones.  It is all done in the name of St. Valentine.

Yet, every February 14, this mysterious question continually is asked: Who is this mysterious saint, and why do so many people in the name of love celebrate this holiday?

Far from roses, chocolates, and greeting cards comes this highly regarded  fable.  St. Valentine, a Christian priest living in Rome, during Emperor Claudius II’s persecution, ministered to martyrs about to die for their faith.

Eventually himself arrested, Valentine received so many severe beatings that even his captors implored him to give up his faith.  Refusing, he was then beheaded. For faithfully giving his heart to the Lord, Valentine proved himself a true loving follower of Christ.

However my favorite folktale also sees Valentine, as a faithful Christian, who falls in love with Marcella, a young beautiful Christian.  Denounced as a follower of Jesus the Nazorean, Valentine was dragged before the Roman High Court and told to give up his belief in Christ.  Valentine adamantly refused.  For his stubbornness, Valentine was condemned to a tortuous death.

In a letter to Marcella, he told Marcella of his love for her, and he looked forward to spending his eternity with her.  To this love letter Valentine signed, From your Valentine.

This became the well-worn phrase found on most Valentine greeting cards today.  Although the facts of the story may be murky, the appeal left behind by this romantic figure is not!

In reality, love is not something to be squeezed into one day.  Love is resplendent enough to do every day. Didn’t Christ ask us to love one another every day?  And He asks because this is exactly how Jesus spends His day: loving everyone.   

And Christ adds: “Not just those who return our love, but everyone.” Why?  Because this is exactly who Christ loves.  Didn’t He turn and embrace sinners, outcasts, and the destitute?  These may seem unromantic, but it is the gutsy side of love, namely, to know we are  all Christ’s valentines.

Affirming this gutsy side of love, St. Francis de Sales writes: “It is to those who have most need of us that we ought to show love more especially.  For in doing so we give greater proof of our love.”

Today we are certain Jesus sends us His love- From your Valentine!