Valentine's Day

From what little we know about St. Valentine, he was a priest in third century Rome who worked especially with young people.  Legend has it that he signed a letter to the daughter of the jailer whom he converted, "From your Valentine."  He was martyred in 269 A.D. in Rome, where a church was built in his honor.  He was tied in with the tradition  of Courtly Love during the Middle Ages in England, and although he is no longer on the Universal Liturgical calendar, his feast day is still celebrated in Rome.  In the United States, his memory is greatly enhanced by the tradition of honoring loved ones with candy, cards and flowers.  He is the patron of  happy marriage, those in love and youth.
Here is a prayer, courtesy of the University of Notre Dame, in his honor:

Prayer for Valentine's Day

God of love, 
Your gratuitous love is the source of all goodness. As we give thanks for your loving fidelity, help us to remember the many ways we encounter your love in our relationships with others. May we show appreciation to our spouses, soulmates, and companions with whom we journey life’s path. May our love for one another deepen in generosity and wisdom. 
Grant us the humility to ask for forgiveness in times of hurt, and the generosity to offer pardon in return. Strengthen our bonds of fidelity to one another, and to those in need of our love. May the joy and hope that love provides transform and redeem us.
We ask this in the name of Jesus, and through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Bro. Rene