SAINT OF THE DAY

FRIDAY, 14 FEBRUARY, 2025

SAINT VALENTINE

BISHOP AND MARTYR

(3rd Century)

ST. VALENTINE HEALS A BLIND GIRL AND A HOUSEHOLD BECOMES CATHOLIC

St. Valentine at one point of time, as the Bishop of Terni, Narnia and Amelia,  was on house arrest with Judge Asterius. While discussing religion and faith with the Judge, Valentine pledged the validity of Jesus. The judge immediately put Valentine and his faith to the test.

St. Valentine was presented with the judge's blind daughter and told to restore her sight. If he succeeded, the judge vowed to do anything for Valentine. Placing his hands onto her eyes, Valentine restored the child's vision.

Judge Asterius was humbled and obeyed Valentine's requests. Asterius broke all the idols around his house, fasted for three days and was baptized, along with his family and whole household of 44 members. Judge Asterius now faithful, then freed all of his Christian inmates.

ST. VALENTINE BLESSED CLANDESTINE MARRIAGES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE FAMILY AND THE FAITH

Under the rule of Emperor Claudius the Cruel, Rome was involved in many unpopular and bloody campaigns. The emperor had to maintain a strong army, but was having a difficult time getting soldiers to join his military leagues. Claudius believed that Roman men were unwilling to join the army because of their strong attachment to their wives and families.

To get rid of the problem, Claudius banned all marriages and engagements in Rome. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret.

When Valentine's actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death. Valentine was arrested and dragged before the Prefect of Rome, who condemned him to be beaten to death with clubs and to have his head cut off.

FROM YOUR VALENTINE

During the last weeks of Valentine's life a remarkable thing happened. Seeing that he was a man of learning, the jailer asked whether his daughter, Julia, might be brought to Valentinus for lessons. She had been blind since birth. Julia was a pretty young girl with a quick mind. Valentine read stories of Rome's history to her. He described the world of nature to her. He taught her arithmetic and told her about God. She saw the world through his eyes, trusted his wisdom, and found comfort in his quiet strength.

On the eve of his death Valentinus wrote a last note to Julia, urging her to stay close to God. He signed it, "From your Valentine." His death sentence was carried out the next day, February 14, 270 A.D., near a gate that was later named Porta Valentini in his memory. He was buried at what is now the Church of Praxedes in Rome. It is said that Julia planted a pink-blossomed almond tree near his grave. Today, the almond tree remains a symbol of abiding love and friendship.

ST. VALENTINE TRULY EXISTED - A CATHOLIC MARTYR

Valentine did really exist, because archaeologists have unearthed a Roman catacomb and an ancient church dedicated to St. Valentine. In 496 AD Pope Gelasius marked February 14th as a celebration in honor of his martyrdom.

Relics of St. Valentine can be found all over the world. A flower-crowned skull of St. Valentine can be found in the Basilica of Santa Maria in Cosmedin, Rome. In 1836, other relics were exhumed from the catacombs of Saint Hippolytus on the Via Tiburtina and were identified as Valentine's. These were transported for a special Mass dedicated to those young and in love.

Pope Gregory XVI gave a gift to Fr. John Spratt in 1836, contianing a "small vessel tinged" with St. Valentine's blood, which now is placed in Whitefriar Street Church in Dublin, Ireland.

PATRON: Love, lovers, epileptics, and beekeepers.

NOVENA TO ST. VALENTINE

O holy Martyr, St. Valentine, pray for the Faithful, who are so persevering in celebrating thy memory. The day of Judgment will reveal to us all thy glorious merits. Oh! intercede for us, that we may then be made thy companions at the right hand of the Great Judge, and be united with thee eternally in heaven. Amen.

ANTIPHON: This Saint fought, even unto death, for the law of his God, and feared not the words of the wicked; for he was set upon a firm rock.

LET US PRAY: Grant, we beseech thee, O Almighty God, that we who solemnize the festival of St. Valentine, Thy Martyr, may, by his intercession, be delivered from all the evils that threaten us. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

(Here mention your petitions...)

Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory be to the Father

St. Valentine: Pray for us!