Valentine's Day is a holiday celebrated on February 14. In North America, it is the traditional day on which lovers express their love for each other by sending Valentine's cards, presenting flowers, or offering confectionery. The holiday is named after two among the numerous Early Christian martyrs named Valentine. The day became associated with romantic love in the circle of Geoffrey Chaucer in High Middle Ages, when the tradition of courtly love flourished.
History
Numerous early Christian martyrs were named Valentine. Until 1969, the Catholic Church formally recognized eleven Valentine's Days. The Valentines honored on February 14 are:
-
Valentine of Terni (Valentinus ep. Interamnensis m. Romae): He became bishop of Interamna (modern Terni) about AD 197 and is said to have been killed during the persecution of Emperor Aurelian. He is also buried on the Via Flaminia, but in a different location than Valentine of Rome. His relics are at the Basilica of Saint Valentine in Terni (Basilica di San Valentino).
The Catholic Encyclopedia also speaks of a third saint named Valentine who was mentioned in early martyrologies under date of 14 February. He was martyred in Africa with a number of companions, but nothing more is known about him.
Some sources say the Valentine linked to romance is Valentine of Rome, others say Valentine of Terni. Some scholars (such as the Bollandists) have concluded that the two were originally the same person. In any case, no romantic elements are present in the original Early Medieval biographies of either of these martyrs.
The evolving legend
Emperor Claudius was a cruel bloody ruler. When he could not recruit enough soldiers for his endless campaigns he blamed it on the men not wanting to leave their lovers and families. Consequently he cancelled all marriages and engagements in Rome. St. Valentine was a Christian priest who secretly got couples married. He was apprehended and jailed. But many visited him and showered him with notes of good wishes and flowers. One of these people was the daughter of the prison guard. Before being hauled off to his fate this holy priest left her a note thanking her for her support and signing it of as ‘Your Valentine’. Finally on the fatal day in February they dragged into the presence of the Prefect of Rome before being clubbed and beheaded. The day of his martyrdom is celebrated as Valentine’s Day.
Valentine is the name of several saints of whom two were celebrated martyrs during the reign of Emperor Claudius. One was a Roman who was killed for refusing to give up Christianity. He died on 14th February 269 AD. Their festivals fall on 14th February. It is a popular belief that on this day birds mate and sweethearts are chosen.. In 496 AD Pope Gelasius marked February 14th to be St. Valentine’s Day in honour of the martyr. In 1969 the Roman Catholic Church formally recognized eleven martyrs to be honoured by that name on Valentine’s Day.
In course of time February 14th or Valentine’s Day became the date for exchanging messages of love. St. Valentine became the patron saint of love. Poems and simple gifts of flowers were exchanged and there was often a social gathering like a ball.
Chaucer's love birds The first recorded association of Valentine's Day with romantic love is in Parlement of Foules (1382) by Geoffrey Chaucer:
-
-
-
-
For this was on seynt Volantynys day
-
Whan euery bryd comyth there to chese [choose] his make [mate].
This poem was written to honor the first anniversary of the engagement of King Richard II of England to Anne of Bohemia.
In Brazil, the Dia dos Namorados (lit. "Day of the enamored", or "Boyfriend's/Girlfriend's Day") is celebrated on June 12, when couples exchange gifts, chocolates, cards and flower bouquets. This day was chosen probably because it is the day before the Saint Anthony's day, known as the marriage saint, when many single women perform popular rituals, called simpatias, in order to find a good husband or a boyfriend.
It's Valentines Day!
According to many it is the perfect time to share your love to someone you love. What if that someone you love left you? What if that person hates you? What if that loved one does not love you anymore?
Valentines Day falls on a day of Lent. A time for fasting and abstinence. Why not fast and abstain in the "love" that the world knows and cling to the real and true love that heaven gives? It is, for us Christians, to discover the real love that we need, that the world needs. The Love of Jesus... love that gives life, love that gives hope, love that gives.
This Valentines Day, let us date Jesus! Let us be with him at this special day of "love" of the world and show to everyone that this is the real love that Valentines is looking for.
We pray that everyday be a Valentines Day. We pray that real love lives in every heart of men. We pray that the love of Jesus be in our hearts.
HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!
(by Dave Ceasar for group catholicfriends)
