Valentine's Day, February 14th. Thousands of websites and blogs posted about this romantic day whose concept dates back thousands of years to Roman times, the Feast of the Lupercalia (a fertility festival celebrated in ancient Rome).
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| The Feast of the Lupercalia circa 50 BC |
After the fall of Rome, the Catholic Church eventually incorporated this festival into a feast day celebrated on February 14th in remembrance of Saint Valentine, a martyr of the Catholic church.
Actually, when I discovered the Christian legend of Valentine, I gained a new respect for the concept of a day devoted to love and relationships which to me had become like Halloween, a day of trade, exploitation of guilt and evidence of corporate hunger to make mega profits on all sorts of products from candy, roses and luxurious spa weekends to more tawdry items. But if you went on a blind date on Valentine's Day and ended up marrying the man or woman, or you became engaged to the person on Valentine's Day, or went out with someone and formed a lasting and mutual relationship, perhaps St. Valentine had something to do with that.
Actually, when I discovered the Christian legend of Valentine, I gained a new respect for the concept of a day devoted to love and relationships which to me had become like Halloween, a day of trade, exploitation of guilt and evidence of corporate hunger to make mega profits on all sorts of products from candy, roses and luxurious spa weekends to more tawdry items. But if you went on a blind date on Valentine's Day and ended up marrying the man or woman, or you became engaged to the person on Valentine's Day, or went out with someone and formed a lasting and mutual relationship, perhaps St. Valentine had something to do with that.
Legend has it that Valentine was a priest who disagreed with the Catholic law which banned marriage for priests. Secretly, he continued to perform marriages for young lovers. When Claudius II discovered that Valentine disobeyed church law, he threw him in prison. Valentine didn't let the prison bars destroy his faith and devotion to God's love. He prayed constantly and performed a miracle by restoring the sight of the jailer's daughter who was blind.
During his time in prison, the jailer's daughter and he comforted one another and formed a deep friendship. But Claudius II was enraged over Valentine's disobedience and even more enraged when he heard of the miracle Valentine had inspired with his prayers. His punishment was death. As Valentine was preparing to die, he eternally wanted to comfort the jailer's daughter and bring her peace that he was going to a better place. On a scrap of cloth he wrote her a farewell message which only she would ever know, and he signed it, “From your Valentine." The date of his execution was February 14th in 270 AD. Of course, the phrase is history!
During his time in prison, the jailer's daughter and he comforted one another and formed a deep friendship. But Claudius II was enraged over Valentine's disobedience and even more enraged when he heard of the miracle Valentine had inspired with his prayers. His punishment was death. As Valentine was preparing to die, he eternally wanted to comfort the jailer's daughter and bring her peace that he was going to a better place. On a scrap of cloth he wrote her a farewell message which only she would ever know, and he signed it, “From your Valentine." The date of his execution was February 14th in 270 AD. Of course, the phrase is history!
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Shrine of St. Valentine in Whitefriar Street, Carmelite Church Dublin, Ireland |
Though we do not know Valentine's last message to the jailer's daughter we can guess what it might have been, if we have been in love. It was intensely personal, just between the two of them, in words they understood, in ideas they shared, in a language and feeling only they could imagine. And his final parting words to her have lasted through the centuries and been made known to us so we can see what such love is. Iconic story, right?
Now, on a different, more down-to-earth romantic note, there is something which you might be fortunate enough to share with a partner if you are selected. It's a $2,500 gift card giveaway from the Four Seasons hotel chain. If you are interested, click below to read more about it. Or if you like, walk away with the thought of St. Valentine and the jailer's daughter.
http://technorati.com/social-media/article/four-seasons-facebook-giveaway-celebrating-valentines/
Valentine's Day has passed, but the concepts expressed in the story of St Valentine, the priest, and the jailer's daughter remain eternal. Go in peace and help to create the relationship of bonding, sharing, friendship and love with your significant other. It is never too late for love's renewal. It is never too late for love's joy.
This article on Valentine's Day also appeared on the following site, where I guest blogged. http://activeamateurchef.wordpress.com/2012/02/11/the-legend-of-st-valentine-by-guest-blogger-carole-m-di-tosti/
