Will the real St. Valentine Please Stand?

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. 

Every February 14th this mysterious question is asked: Who is this mysterious saint, and why do so many people celebrate this holiday in the name of love? Far from roses, chocolates, and greeting cards appears this highly regarded tale.  During Emperor Claudius II’s persecution, Valentine was a Christian priest living in Rome and ministering to martyrs about to die for their faith. 

Eventually, he was arrested and Valentine received such severe beatings even his captors implored him to give up his faith. Refusing, he was beheaded. Valentine proved himself a true follower of Christ, faithfully giving his heart to the Lord. Another folktale sees Valentine as a faithful Christian who falls in love with Marcella, a young and beautiful Christian.  Denounced as a follower of Jesus the Nazorean, Valentine appeared 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 her of his love and how 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 greetings today. Although the facts of the story may be murky, the appeal left behind by this romantic figure is not.  

Love is not something to squeeze into a one-day celebration. Love is dazzling enough to do every day.  Didn’t Christ ask us always to love one another?  And he asks, because this is how Jesus spent his day: loving everyone he meets. And Christ also adds: “…not just those who return our love, but everyone.” Why?  Because this is exactly how Christ loves.  Didn’t he reach out and embrace sinners, outcasts, and the destitute?  This is the courageous side of love, seeing everyone as Christ’s valentine.

St. Francis de Sales adds:  “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.”  We can be certain that Jesus gathers each of us today as: his Valentine.