Valentine's Day Is For Real

Valentine’s Day is not a made up holiday invented by the greeting card industry.  

There really was a man named Valentine. He’s the Patron Saint of love, young people, engaged couples and happy marriage.   

Saint Valentine was a priest who lived in ancient Rome when Christianity was illegal. He was imprisoned for secretly marrying young Christian couples. He refused to renounce his faith and was ultimately martyred by Emperor Claudius II. Legend has it that his execution occurred on February 14th in the year 269. The Catholic Church celebrates his date of death as his feast day because that’s when he entered into his eternal life in heaven.

The United States greeting card industry didn’t enter the Valentine’s Day picture until the 1850’s. Book and stationary merchants found it would be a good way to make money and began mass-producing Valentine’s Day cards. Since then other industries jumped at the opportunity to reap the rewards of the Christian holiday.

Now Valentine’s Day is second only to Christmas in money spent by consumers. It’s a great mid-winter boost for the economy. 

So splurge on those cards, jewelry, chocolate, roses, wine, food and movies to honor a man who sacrificed his life for the love of others and for God. 

Let’s learn a lesson from St. Valentine and love each other a little more each day.