Grant, we beseech Thee, O almighty God, that we, who celebrate the heavenly birthday of blessed Valentine, Thy Martyr, may by his intercession be delivered from all the evils that threaten us. Through our Lord...
- Collect of the Mass
Today in the Ancient Usage of the Roman Rite is the commemoration of St. Valentine, martyr.
There are two saints in the martyrology that are commemorated on this date. Here is an excerpt from the martyrology for this day:
February 14th anno Domini 2012 The 21st Day of Moon were born into the better life.
At Rome, upon the Flaminian Way, the blessed martyr Valentine, a Priest, who after much healing and teaching was cudgelled and beheaded under Claudius Caesar, [in the year 268.]...
At Teramo, [in Umbria, in the year 273,] the holy martyr Valentine, Bishop of that see. He was heavily flogged and committed to jail, but as he would not yield he was thrown out of the prison in the silence of midnight and beheaded by command of Placidus, Prefect of the city....
The customs related to the feast of St. Valentine had its origin in the Middle Ages in England and France. This was because of the belief that on this day birds look for mates.
So traditionally, Valentine's day had a Christian root before it has become commercialized today. Let us not be blinded by the commercialization of this day. Always keep in mind that love is not always something about "the bed" something on the erotic side. Let us also remember that Cupid (Eros) is a pagan god and should not be used as a symbol for this Christian festival. Let not also be troubled when you do not have a Valentine on this day, if God wills it it will happen.
Further Readings:
- (1912). St. Valentine. In The Catholic Encyclopedia.
- Divinum Officium (please click for the Prime of February 13, as the Martyrology is anticipated)
No comments:
Post a Comment