Our Lady of La Salette and Saint Joseph Church
Parish Priest: Canon Michael Cooley
14 Melior Street, London SE1 3QP
020 7407 1948
e-mail: lasalette.melior@gmail.com
Valentine's Day is named in memory of St. Valentine of Rome who died in 269 AD. Saint Valentine was arrested by Emperor Claudius II for helping Christian martyrs. After refusing to give up the Christian faith he was beaten to death with clubs and beheaded by the Prefect of Rome on February 14th. In 469 A.D. Pope Gelasius set February 14th as a day to honour him. Saint Valentine became the patron saint of epilepsy; having suffered from it in life. Saint Valentine also became the patron saint of lovers as the church assimilated the fertility festival Lupercalia into their calendar.
Lupercalia or Februarca, The Feast of Purification, used to be on February 15th and contained priests called Luperci who prayed to the wolf deity Lycaeus at the cave of Palentine. Lycaeus was the mother of the founders of Rome, Romulus and Remus. Marc Antony was master of the Luperci priests during his lifetime and in 44. B.C. offered the crown to Julius Caesar. The names Lyceum Temple of Love and February pure remain in the language today.
British / USA Valentines History -- The Romans conquered much of Europe and brought Valentine's Day with them. Love messages known as valentines were exchanged. The earliest valentine recorded in Britain is the verses of Chaucer. In the 1700s valentines were placed on friend's doorsteps and given to men and women in England. Children sung valentines carol. Oliver Cromwell came to power, declared valentines immoral, and had them banned. By 1660 Valentine's Day was restored. By 1800 commercial valentines became available. In America valentines accompany gifts such as flowers, candy, and perfume.
Every February, across the country, candy, flowers, and gifts are exchanged between loved ones, all in the name of St. Valentine. But who is this mysterious saint and why do we celebrate this holiday? The history of Valentine's Day -- and its patron saint -- is shrouded in mystery. But we do know that February has long been a month of romance. St. Valentine's Day, as we know it today, contains vestiges of both Christian and ancient Roman tradition. So, who was Saint Valentine and how did he become associated with this ancient rite? Today, the Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred.
One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men -- his crop of potential soldiers. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine's actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death.
Other stories suggest that Valentine may have been killed for attempting to help Christians escape harsh Roman prisons where they were often beaten and tortured.
According to one legend, Valentine actually sent the first 'valentine' greeting himself. While in prison, it is believed that Valentine fell in love with a young girl -- who may have been his jailor's daughter -- who visited him during his confinement. Before his death, it is alleged that he wrote her a letter, which he signed 'From your Valentine,' an expression that is still in use today. Although the truth behind the Valentine legends is murky, the stories certainly emphasize his appeal as a sympathetic, heroic, and, most importantly, romantic figure. It's no surprise that by the Middle Ages, Valentine was one of the most popular saints in England and France.
Love Quotes
There are three things that last: Faith, Hope and Love; and the greatest of these is Love.
Love is not a matter of counting the years...but making the years count. -- Michelle St. Amand
The human heart feels things the eyes can not see, and knows what the mind can not understand. -- Robert Valett
True love begins when nothing is looked for in return -- Antoine De Saint-Exupery
Love is an endless act of forgiveness, a tender look which becomes a habit.
One word frees us of all the weight and pain in life... That word is LOVE...
Life is a journey, and love is what makes that journey worthwhile...
If you judge someone, you have no time to love them -- Mother Teresa
Where there is love, there is life -- Mahatma Gandhi
Happiness is being married to your best friend...
Great thoughts always come from the heart...
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