Letter from the Pastor
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February 9, 2025
Today, Sunday, Feb. 9th is World Marriage Day in National Marriage Week ending on Feb. 14th. The theme this year is "Marriage: Source of Hope, Spring of Renewal, Pursue a Lasting Love."
World Marriage Day is celebrated every year on the second Sunday in February and officially began in 1983 in the United States. The purpose of World Marriage Day is to emphasize the beauty of marriage and to honor husbands and wives for their faithfulness and sacrifices.
World Marriage Day highlights the promise of a marital union and the beauty and grace of receiving a sacrament for baptized Christians. The Worldwide Marriage Encounter, an initiative that aims to improve the married life of couples, started this day. World Marriage Day spreads the true spirit of marriage and honors the sacrifices and faithfulness of husbands and wives.
This Friday, February 14th, of course, is Valentine’s Day. Sadly, many have no idea he was a saint. Everyone celebrates him except the Church. Catholics have venerated him for about 1,700 years as the patron saint of love and marriage. However, in 1969 his feast day was removed from the official liturgical calendar.
There were several St. Valentines canonized in the Church, martyred on Feb. 14th. Some traditions claim he was either a priest in Rome or the bishop of Terni, Narnia and Amelia, in Umbria, central Italy.
Before being beheaded, he restored sight and hearing of his jailer’s daughter. On the eve of his death Valentinus wrote a last note to Julia, urging her to stay close to God. He signed it, “From your Valentine.” After her healing, the jailer too was converted to Catholicism. He was also being punished for secretly marrying young couples, so the husbands wouldn’t have to go to war. Of course, this was enough to be considered an enemy of the emperor Claudius II. His sentence was carried out on 14th of February 269AD near a gate that was later named Porta Valentini in his memory. He was buried at what is now the Church of St. Prassades in Rome. It is said that Julia planted a pink-blossomed almond tree near his grave. Today, the almond tree remains a symbol of abiding love and friendship.
So how did this strong saint, who died for the faith, become associated with romance, candy and a
$27.5 billion business?
It all started with a poem, The Canterbury Tales written by Geoffrey Chaucer in 1387–1400.
Chaucer decreed the February feast of St. Valentine to the mating of birds, in this verse:
For this was on St. Valentinus Day when every bird comes there to choose his mate. It seems that in Chaucer’s day, English birds paired off to produce eggs in February.
As we celebrate St. Valentine’s Day, it is a moment to honor someone who loved others so profoundly that he sacrificed his life. Saint Valentine’s story serves as a powerful lesson, encouraging us to be kind, loving and steadfast in standing up for our beliefs, no matter how daunting the circumstances. His enduring example of love continues to inspire and resonate with us today.
Love is not just a superficial feeling; it involves doing good things for others, showing generosity, and placing others before ourselves. Love of its nature is to sacrifice for the beloved. Our faith encourages a deeper understanding of love that extends far beyond romantic gestures. It emphasizes being good friends, developing strong family connections and caring for others.
So, when Valentine’s Day approaches, it is not just about exchanging cards and chocolates. It is an opportunity to express true love by lending a helping hand, showing kindness and considering the well-being of our entire community.
In celebration of St. Valentine’s Day, I invite you next Sunday (February 16th) at 3:00 PM when our wonderful choir will sing Choral Love Songs to God.
After the Concert Series, in Toner Hall, a wine and cheese party!
TO PURCHASE TICKETS
Bring your Valentine!
