Valentine’s Day is February 14th. We know the 14th is a special day. However, do we know its origins in St. Valentine? Was there really such a person? Where did he live? Why do we remember him?
During my elementary years, every February our little one-room school walls were splashed with bright red valentines and cupids of all shapes and sizes. Amidst our lively Valentine exchange, our teacher would take her place at the front of the class and speak to us about St. Valentine. Here’s what I remember. Although not a lot is known about his life, Valentine was a third century Christian bishop, martyred by the Roman Emperor Claudius in 273 CE. Among other charges against him, he ministered to persecuted Christians and was said to have married secretly Christian couples who were being persecuted. People didn’t forget his many acts of kindness. From about the 14th century, Valentine’s Day came to be celebrated as a day of romance. As years passed, Valentine became known as the patron saint of lovers, couples, epileptics and beekeepers.
There are legends about St. Valentine; one legendary account inspired me. Once, Valentine was feeling sad about his inability to do great things to help others. As he was praying over this, he heard a voice inside him, “Valentine, do the little things with love”. These words impressed him deeply and influenced his life. Hearing those transformative words moved me too.
Throughout my life, when I watch others performing deeds of valor and achieving accolades and consider my five loaves and three fish alongside their great catch, I hear St. Valentine’s encouraging voice, urging me, “Do the little things with great love”. Such actions can touch hurting hearts and impact our little world.
On Valentine’s Day, beneath all the hearts, chocolates and expensive jewelry that few can afford, isn’t it wonderful to be reminded to do little things with great love? Therefore, a simple card or a bouquet of flowers and a sincerely spoken, “I love you”, to our dear ones young and old, are powerful gestures of love. In fact, such kindness is the only thing that matters – and don’t forget the kiss!
-Sister Jean Moylan, csj