why do we celebrate Valentine's Day?

Answers to why do we celebrate Valentine's Day

We celebrate Valentine's Day, because until 1969, it was one of the many Saint's Days observed by the Catholic Church. It was dedicated to the patron saint of romantic causes, St. Valentine.

Although it was removed from the Church's calendar in 1969, the religious meaning coupled with Valentine's Day's roots in Roman paganism have allowed it to continue as a holiday for everyone.

Early Christians saw Valentine's Day as a way to honor St. Valentine, of whom there were actually three. The Catholic Church recognizes three saints by that name, all who were martyred on February 14.

The St. Valentine the day is named for was, most likely, a priest in the 3rd century who performed secret marriages when the Roman Emperor Claudius II thought single soldiers were more likely to enlist in the army. That St. Valentine was imprisoned and executed on February 4, 270. It is believed he was responsible for giving the jailer's blind daughter back her eyesight, and before his execution, he sent herss a note saying, "From your Valentine." The phrase is still widely used on valentines today.

It wasn't until 1537 that St. Valentine's day was declared an official holiday. England's King Henry VIII, known for his ways of disposing of wives, declared February 14th a holiday. It was another century and a half before religious devotional cards became non-religious cards to reflect the change in the holiday.

In 496 A.D., February 14, was declared in the name of St. Valentine by Pope Gelasius. It remained a Church holiday until 1969, when Pope Paul VI took it from the calender.

On February 14, the ancient Romans celebrated the Feast of Lupercalia in honor of Juno, the queen of the Roman gods and goddesses. Juno was also the goddess of womesn and marriage so honoring her was thought to be a fertility rite.

At the feast held the next day, the women would write love letters and stick them in a large urn. The men would pick a letter from the urn and for the next year, pursue the woman who wrote the chosen letter. This custom lasted until the 1700s when people decided their beloveds should be chosen by sight, not luck.

Digging Deeper
The story of Valentine’s Day takes us back to the year 270 A.D. and the reign of Claudius II. Claudius II, emperor of Rome, had formerly been a general under Emperor Valerian. When Claudius II succeeded Valerian, he continued to exercise his instinct for war. While in conflict with the Gauls, Claudius II came to the realization that married men are inferior at warfare, due to their personal attachments. Moreover, married men had a tendency to even avoid joining the army. To remedy this situation, Claudius II outlawed marriage.

Valentine, or Valentinus as he was known, lived in Rome at this time, and was outraged at the decree of this warmongering emperor. He refused to follow it. Valentine became a haven for young couples hoping to enter the Sacrament of Marriage. He married them in private, until eventually he was captured and imprisoned.

While awaiting his execution, Valentine became friends with the daughter of his jailer. She was a blind girl who showed Valentine kindness in his captivity. Through his faith and through prayer, Valentine cured the girl of her affliction – an act of love even for the daughter of his captor.

Supporters of Valentine would show their love by casting flowers up to the window of his cell. This link between Valentine and flowers would be forever established over the centuries into modern tradition. Nonetheless, Valentine was executed on February 14, 270. Before he died, he wrote a letter of gratitude and hope to the jailer’s daughter. He signed it, “From your Valentine.” This sentiment, of course, carries on today and is echoed every year on the anniversary of this saint’s death.

Although there is no perfect history on when St. Valentine’s Day celebrations began, we know that by the Middle Ages, St. Valentine’s traditions were underway. Often balls or parties were held for young people on February 14. One of the most famous St. Valentine’s Day occurrences was the first St. Valentine’s card. In 1415, the Duke of Orleans created a St. Valentine’s Day card and sent it to his wife. He was currently in prison at the Tower of London, and he wanted to send a message of love, much like Valentine had years earlier.

Celebrating St. Valentine’s Day is a tribute to St. Valentine, later titled Patron Saint of Lovers. His devotion to God and his commitment to supporting love and marriage set a wonderful example for us. When we celebrate St. Valentine’s Day, whether through cards or flowers, we are acting as the saint acted. We are appreciating what God has given us.

St. Valentine taught us about the importance of love and the Sacrament of Marriage. He believed in these things so deeply that he was martyred for them. Although we live in easier times, where marriage and love are not forbidden to us, we must remember that things weren’t always this way. We must remind ourselves that all we have is precious. And St. Valentine’s Day is the perfect opportunity to reflect on what we have been given.

Disclaimer - Answers to the questions are researched using various sources and are meant to increase the knowledge of our visitors. We cannot gurantee the accuracy of answers to questions.

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