Saint Valentine's Day
Observed on February 14th, St. Valentine's Day, often mistakenly abbreviated as Valentine's Day, is a holiday characterized by showing one's love for someone. The holiday has become increasingly commercialized in recent years, which is somewhat ironic given the origin of the holiday. This holiday has not been on the schedule of Catholic holiday since Pope Paul VI dropped it from the calendar.
One legend goes that Roman Emperor Claudius II defended the Empire against invading Goths in the 3rd century. He forbade marriage for his troops because he thought that single men were tougher soldiers. Valentine, it is said, was a Christian bishop in Italy who secretly married young couples. When caught, he was sentenced to be beaten to death with clubs and beheaded on February 14, A.D. 269
But as he awaited his execution, this Christian prayed for the jailers' sick daughter and wrote her a note. He signed it "from your Valentine." She miraculously recovered and in A.D. 469, Pope Gelasius designated February 14th as "Saint Valentine's Day."
Valentine's Day is celebrated throughout the world, often associated with giving cards, chocolates, and flowers to one's love. Cupid, the infant son of the Roman love god Venus, and the heart symbol are common symbols used during this holiday.
Interestingly enough, the pagan holiday of Lupercania also began on February 14th. It celebrated the Roman god of fertility, Juno. Women would write love letters during this holiday and leave then in a large urn, and then men would randomly draw one of these letter and pursue whoever wrote it.
