Saint Valentine, Priest and Martyr
by VP
Posted on Wednesday February 14, 2024 at 12:00AM in Saints
Saint Valentine, Kneeling in Supplication. 1677, David Teniers
"He was a priest, and lived at Rome in the third age after Christ, under the Emperor Claudius II. Having employed his charity in instructing the ignorant, helping the sick, and assisting the martyrs in the persecution, he was apprehended. The emperor sent him to the prefect of Rome; who, on finding all his promises to make him renounce his faith ineffectual, commanded him to be beaten with clubs, and afterwards to be beheaded; which was executed on the 14th of February, about the year 270. Pray for all of his sacred character: they have a great charge, and require a powerful assistance of heavenly grace to be faithful in it. Pray that those, who have undertaken it, may follow the charity of this saint, and spare no pains in the discharge of their sacred duties. The corruption and ignorance of the world make their labours endless. Beg therefore for them, patience, zeal, longanimity, and perseverance; for they want all that you can ask for of this kind.The heathens had a lewd superstitious custom of boys drawing the names of girls at this time, in honour of their goddess, Februata Juno. In order to abolish this profane and dangerous practice, several zealous pastors substituted the names of saints in billets which were given on this day. St. Francis of Sales severely forbade the customs of valentines; and to abolish it, he changed it into giving papers with the names of certain
saints, to be particularly honoured, and as an encouragement to imitate
their virtues. This pious custom prevails in many religious houses; and
is to be commended. But there are great abuses in the common practices on this day, which should be condemned and abolished as unworthy of true followers of Christ. Evil is often the more dangerous, when the occasion of it
is less suspected. In this way many Christians are brought into great
snares, while they unwarily strengthen their own passions, and beginning
with the spirit, too often end in the flesh. Be charitable then to all, but familiar with none. This is the advice of the pious author of the Following of Christ; and will prove your best security." The Catholic Year by Rev. Fr. John Gother
Prayer:
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 Blessed Valentine, your martyr, may, by his intercession, be delivered from all the evils that threaten us. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Don Gueranger.
