Of course, Saint Valentine of Rome was Italian. Born in Terni, Italy in the 226 year after the death of Christ, Valentine was Roman. As a priest and bishop in the Roman Empire of the third century, he loved the people of God, ministering to Christians who were trying to live their faith in a hostile and deadly environment. It was against the law for Christians to marry at that time. Christians were being rigorously persecuted for their faith by Emperor Claudius in Rome. At 43 years of age, St. Valentine was captured, imprisoned for his service to the Christians of Rome, and killed for the crime of marrying Christian couples on February 14, 269.

Saint Valentine met the hatred and mistrust of his day with love. But persecution of Christians didn’t end in Roman times. Christians continue to be persecuted in our day.

RESPONDING TO PERSECUTION: Like St. Valentine, the Knights of Columbus and St. John Paul the Great Squires are meeting persecution with action — specifically prayer. Join them in a special ROSARY for Persecuted Christians on Saturday morning, February 16th after the 7:30 a.m. Mass in the Parish Chapel.

In regards to Valentine’s Day — how did the actions of Saint Valentine turn into a holiday celebrating love and friendship across the world?

There is a story that says that Saint Valentine wrote a note to a beloved friend before he was killed. He signed it “from your Valentine”, which is said to be the start of our Valentine tradition of giving cards and notes to loved ones.

During the Middle Ages, there was a romantic notion that birds found their mates in mid-February. When paired with the story of St. Valentine aiding newlyweds or young lovers, a day for romance and devotion was born.

In Ireland where the Saint is buried, a book in the church of Santa Prassede is filled with petitions addressed to the St. Valentine, there considered to be the patron saint of lovers.