St. Valentine
St. Valentine was a priest in Rome around 300 AD, and the Roman Emperor at the time was Claudius II, who was later dubbed Claudius the Cruel. Emperor Claudius II believed that his army was being weakened by marriage. He felt that married soldiers were less inclined to battle because they would not want to leave their wives and families, so he outlawed marriages. The initial thought was that he would supply his soldiers with plenty of prostitutes to keep them satisfied.
St. Valentine held fast to the Church and her teaching and continued to offer the sacrament of Marriage to those who came to him. He married several Romans in secret, but was eventually captured by the Emperor. After speaking with the Emperor, Claudius II was so impressed with St. Valentine that he offered St. Valentine freedom, on the condition that St. Valentine would deny Christianity and join him. St. Valentine let Claudius II know who the Lord of his life was and was sentenced to a three fold death penalty; beating, stoning, and finally decapitation.
While awaiting his death, St. Valentine wrote to his community and requested that each pray “Your Valentine.” He also gave instruction to the jailer’s blind daughter, who was miraculously healed on the day St. Valentine was Martyred. To her, he left a note also signed “Your Valentine”
