Today is such a lovely holiday – Saint Valentine’s Day. One of my favorite holidays because it gives us the chance to show extra affection to friends and family. Sadly, secular society has slowly eliminated the word “saint” from the holiday’s name. In this post I wrote about another kind saint who is well-known. But, who was the mysterious Saint Valentine?
A medieval book of stories about saints titled The Golden Legend, says that Valentine was a priest during the reign of Emperor Claudius II. When the emperor decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men. Valentine, realizing the injustice of his decree, defied Claudius and continued to secretly perform marriages for young lovers. When Valentine’s actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death.
Now, while Valentine awaited his execution, he wrote notes of instruction, affection and encouragement to the Christian community in Rome. A boy who visited him in prison secretly delivered his notes to Rome’s Christians.
On Saint Valentine’s Day, lets follow this saint’s example and encourage others through a kind and affectionate note or phone call.