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”

As most of us know, tomorrow is a special day for all those in relationships and those wanting to start a relationship. And many people will be wishing each other a good day by saying “Happy Valentine’s Day”. This thoroughly bothers me. I’m not a Valentine’s day Scrooge, I’m just a good Catholic. I have no problem with SAINT Valentine’s day, I have a problem with people not recognizing it by leaving out his title.

I realize that this particular Saint day has been overly secularized and has lost most of it’s meaning, but I’m not one to give up ground to the secular part of the world. If anything, this Saint especially, this day should be a niche in the secular world that the Church could use to evangelize, but we’ve given up too much ground and we must take it back.

I challenge you: tomorrow when you are addressed and wished a “Happy Valentine’s Day” wish them a “Happy St. Valentine’s Day.” Also, learn the story of St. Valentine so that you can relay that to those who ask. If you don’t know his story, look it up or simply read this page tomorrow.

So, let’s take one from St. Patrick and not let go of who St. Valentine is or what he has done and again, wish everyone a “Happy St. Valentine’s Day.”

God bless you and God love you.