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Saint Valentine
by Ivory

Saint Valentine is well-known for marrying young men against the law of Claudius II who seemed to think that men without wives made better soldiers. However, there were many “Saint Valentines” Perhaps they were many different men who did the same type of things or maybe they were many men named Valentine and their stories sort of mingled together over time. We may never know Valentine’s true origin. But, we do know that Saint Valentine was not a made up character because archaeologists have uncovered an ancient church that was dedicated to him.

The most famous Valentine was a Catholic priest in Rome who helped Christians who were being persecuted by Claudius II around 200 B.C. He was soon caught and thrown in prison. During his imprisonment, Valentine secretly married young couples against the law. (One legend says that he restored the sight of the jailer’s daughter and, the day before he was executed, wrote a farewell note to the daughter signed, “from your Valentine”) Finally, on February 14th 269, St. Valentine was beaten with clubs then executed. That date later became his feast day; what we know as Valentine’s Day!

St. Valentine, the patron saint of engaged couples, happy marriages, lovers, travelers and young people, pray for us!