St. Valentine's Day Definition and SummarySt. Valentine's Day, named after an actual Christian saint (or, possibly, up to three persons), is no longer celebrated on the Catholic general calendar, although the day is celebrated popularly in many Western countries on February 14. In the Church, the day is associated with martyrdom, while popularly, the day is associated with love and romance. Basic FactsLiturgical Color(s): Red IntroductionMost of what is known about Saint Valentine (Latin: Valentinus) is legendary. In fact, historians are not completely sure which Valentine is commemorated on February 14. The commemoration may refer to up to three Valentines. The first was a Roman priest martyred on the Flaminian Way under Roman Emperor Claudius (c. AD 269). The second was a bishop of Terni (ancient Interamna), born around 175 AD, who was taken to Rome and martyred. The third Valentine was a martyr in the Roman province of Africa, about whom little else is known. The accounts of martyrdom of all three Valentines are legendary, although each legend may contain kernels of fact. All three were likely martyred, hence the color of red that is used liturgically (although the reason red is associated with modern St. Valentine celebrations is likely because red is the color of some roses). The "Acts" of Saint Valentine are of medieval origin (6th-7th centuries), and are historically unreliable. The name Valentine was popular in antiquity, as it is derived from the word valens, "worthy." Over time, the feast grew in popularity and, eventually, began to be associated with love and lovers. Some scholars have speculated that the association with romantic love on Valentine's Day is related to customs associated with the Roman festival of Lupercalia, which fell in mid-February. Others believe that the connection of Saint Valentine's Day to romance relates to the natural season in which the feast falls. However, medieval scholar Jack Oruch, in the July 1981 issue of Speculum (Journal of Medieval Studies), makes a strong case that the Saint Valentine's Day connection to love and romance derives solely from Geoffrey Chaucer's Parliament of Foules. Even though Chaucer connects the romantic overtones of Saint Valentine's Day to ancient customs, Oruch effectively argues that no such traditions existed before Chaucer's time. Thus, modern research suggests it is unlikely that secular Saint Valentine's Day customs are pagan practices derived from the Roman Lupercalia Modern customs associated with Saint Valentine's Day are traced back to the 1840s when Leigh Eric Schmidt essentially reinvented the holiday. The first mass produced "valentines" were made in 1847, and by the latter half of the twentieth century, giving all sorts of romantic items (besides just cards) became associated with Valentine's Day. In some schools, it is a custom for classes to exchange valentine cards with all other students in the class. While secular customs associated with Saint Valentine's Day are either morally neutral or even good (such as giving gifts), the modern secular holiday has little connection to the original saint(s) or feast. HistoryPope Gelasius I first proclaimed the Feast of Saint Valentine, although the pope declared that Valentine was among those whose acts were known only to God, demonstrating that when Valentine was first commemorated, very little, if any, material about his life was known. It is not know whether Pope Gelasius knew of more than one Valentine. The feast of Saint Valentine became popular, and various churches have been dedicated to him. However, in 1969, the Catholic Church removed his feast from the general calendar, in an effort to remove those saints whose origins are legendary. This does not mean that Valentine is no longer a saint. However, his feast is no longer celebrated on February 14 by most Catholics throughout the world. Yet, in Balzan and Malta, where supposed relics of Saint Valentine are present, Saint Valentine is still celebrated liturgically on February 14. Saints Cyril and Methodius are currently celebrated on February 14 on the Catholic general calendar. There is nothing to stop a Catholic from honoring one of the Saint Valentines on February 14. The antiphon traditionally associated with this feast day is
The prayer traditionally associated with this feast day is:
Worship and Prayer ResourcesSee the prayer and antiphon above Church Year Books
Catechism of the Catholic Church Traditions, Symbols & TypologyTraditions Symbols Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why Doesn't the Catholic Church Celebrate St. Valentine's Day? 2. Is Saint Valentine a Patron Saint? 3. Is Valentine's Day a Pagan Holiday? Art and PoetryGeneral LinksValentine's Day E-Cards from Franciscan Cards About ChurchYear.NetIn the course of a year, the Church celebrates the unfolding of the mystery of Christ, beginning with Advent, anticipating his first coming, and reaching a high point at Easter, the feast of feasts, celebrating Christ's resurrection. Through the Church Year, which includes the seasonal, daily, and yearly cycles of Christian time, we live into the events of Jesus and his followers through sanctified time. Thus, we experience in symbol what Jesus and his followers did in reality. We do this through daily prayer (The Liturgy of the Hours), worship, the Eucharist, the sacraments, art, changing colors, canticles, psalms, antiphons, symbols, and other means. The Church Year, including all liturgical celebrations and times of prayer, is one of the most meaningful dimensions of the Catholic faith. Many Christians of all traditions feel drawn to this system of holy time, and prefer to orient their lives around the Christian calendar instead of the secular calendar. Postmodern men and women feel especially drawn to many elements of Sanctified Time: mystery, connection to the past, and a multitude of religious symbols and experiential elements. Thus the Church Year is a postmodern Catholic evangelism tool, and a means of spiritual growth for all who use it. We now have All About...! pages for every season of the Church Year, and have many All About...! pages for various feasts, fasts, and holy days of the Church Year. Each All About...! page has a history, general facts, scriptural references, traditions, symbols, links, worship resources, sermons, an FAQ, and more material related to the particular season or holy day. We also have a helpful Church Year and Liturgy Dictionary, to define certain unfamiliar terms and practices. We are expanding our resources to include general prayers, language resources, and other tools peripherally related to celebrating the Church Year, but still important to its celebration. Enjoy! If you have any suggestions or information you would like to add to our Church Year. Net pages, please contact us. This page written by David Bennett. Last updated 02-14-2008.
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