Would you like to tell me your best valentine story?

All Christians should appreciate this martyr who died about 269 C.E.

Little is known for sure about Valentine. Whoever he was, Valentine really existed because archaeologists have unearthed a Roman catacomb and an ancient church dedicated to Saint Valentine. In 496 C.E. Pope Gelasius marked February 14th as a celebration in honor of his martyrdom.

A book published in 1493 tells this story: Valentine was a Roman priest martyred during the reign of Claudius the Goth [Claudius II].

Since he was caught marrying Christian couples and aiding any Christians who were being persecuted under Emperor Claudius in Rome [when helping them was considered a crime], Valentine was arrested and imprisoned.

Claudius took a liking to this prisoner -- until Valentine made a strategic error: he tried to convert the Emperor -- whereupon this priest was condemned to death.

He was beaten with clubs and stoned; when that didn't do it, he was beheaded outside the Flaminian Gate [circa 269].

One legend says, while awaiting his execution, Valentine restored the sight of his jailer's blind daughter.

Another legend says, on the eve of his death, he penned a farewell note to the jailer's daughter, signing it, "From your Valentine."

St. Valentine is the Patron Saint of affianced couples, bee keepers, epilepsy, fainting, greetings, happy marriages, love, lovers, plague, travelers, young people.

http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=...

With love in Christ.