St. Valentine's Day

St. Valentine of Rome (c. 270) was a priest during the time of severe Christian persecution. According to legend he gave aid to Christian prisoners awaiting their martyrdom. One account has it that the emperor banned all marriages and engagements in Rome believing this was the reason men were unwilling to serve in the army. Valentine defied this unjust decree and continued to perform the Sacrament of Marriage for lovers in secret. He was arrested, and while in prison he restored sight to the jailer's blind daughter, causing the jailer and his entire family to convert to Christianity. The emperor ordered Valentine's execution, and St. Valentine left a farewell note for the jailer's daughter and signed it "From Your Valentine." He was beheaded on February 14th, and to this day his feast is celebrated by lovers and their loved ones around the world. Saint Valentine is the patron saint of bee keepers, betrothed and engaged couples, lovers, love, happy marriages, and young people.