VALENTINE OR NO VALENTINE?

Today the world celebrates Valentine's day. It is that many people who hype the day do not attend Mass or any Christian service, otherwise they would have realized that it is the Memorial of Sts. Cyril and Methodius on the Catholic calendar.

This year 2021, however, the day falls on a Sunday (6th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B). Sunday being of a higher rank (Solemnity) in the Church's levels of celebrations, supersedes all memorials, and therefore overshadows the Memorial of Sts. Cyril and Methodius.

According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, there were at least three early Christian saints by name Valentine. One was a priest in Rome, another a bishop in Terni, and of a third St. Valentine almost nothing is known except that he met his end in Africa. Rather astonishingly, all three Valentines were said to have been martyred on Feb. 14.

Most scholars, however believe that the St. Valentine of the holiday was a priest who attracted the disfavour of the Roman emperor Claudius II around 270. At this stage, the factual ends and the mythic begins. According to one legend, the Roman Emperor Claudius II had issued an edict forbidding marriage. The empire had become too large to be shielded from external aggression and internal chaos with existing forces. Thus more capable men were required to be recruited as soldiers and officers. Claudius felt that married men were more emotionally attached to their families, and thus would not make good soldiers. So to assure quality soldiers, he banned marriage.

Valentine, seeing the trauma of young lovers, met them in a secret place, and joined them in the sacrament of matrimony. Claudius learned of this “friend of lovers”, and had him arrested. The emperor, impressed with the young priest, attempted to convert him to the Roman gods, to save him from certain execution. Valentine refused to recognize Roman gods and even attempted to convert the emperor, knowing the consequences fully.

While Valentine was in prison awaiting his fate, he came in contact with his jailor, Asterius. The jailor had a blind daughter. Asterius requested him to heal his daughter. Through his faith, he miraculously restored the sight of Asterius’ daughter. Just before his execution, he asked for a pen and paper from his jailor, and signed a farewell message to her “From Your Valentine”, a phrase that lived ever after.

On 24 February, 270, Valentine was executed. Valentine thus became a Patron Saint of lovers and spiritual overseer of an annual festival.

In 1969, the Catholic Church revised its liturgical calendar, removing the feast days of saints whose historical origins were questionable. St. Valentine was one of the casualties! 

Whatever the case, the day has become universally accepted as a day for lovers. (NB: Not for promiscuity)

Love is one of the most abused, misinterpreted and misused words ever. God is love. To abuse love, therefore, is to abuse God.

The Church is not against expressing love today or any day but does not approve the reckless way the day is marked by most people in the name of love.

Let us pray that young men and women will understand the real essence of love and express it in ways pleasing to God.

Happy Valentine's Day!

~Padre Antonio

St. Cecilia Parish, Ho-Dome