Happy Saint Valentine's Day

Saint Valentino was a Roman priest who performed weddings in spite of the Emperor Claudius' outlawing of marriage for Roman soldiers. He was martyred in the year 270.

The customs associated with Saint Valentine's Day come from various sources and intertwine nicely. For example, besides being St. Valentine's Day, it was believed that half way through the month of February is the time when birds choose their mates. The color red is the color of martyrs, and is also associated with love. In Greek mythology, Cupid is the son of Venus, and is portrayed as a small cherub who shoots love, represented by arrows, into people's hearts.

Interestingly, the Sacred Heart of Jesus is often shown with the wound from the soldier's sword that pierced it and the Immaculate Heart of Mary is often illustrated with the sword(s) of her "seven sorrows" piercing her heart, fulfilling Simeon's prophesy, "Thine own soul, a sword shall pierce."







For Catholics, Saint Valentine's Day should not be a mere "Hallmark Holiday" but a time to reflect on the great love that Christ has for us and the many gifts He has given us. How can we give back?

During the upcoming Lenten season, use the Church's recommendation for fasting, prayer and almsgiving to give back to Jesus, who loves you so much.

Hat tip to Fish Eaters for the wealth of info on Saint Valentine's Day.

Devotion for August: Immaculate Heart of Mary

Pious tradition in the Catholic Church assigns a special devotion for each month of the year. The devotion for August is the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Devotion to the Immaculate Heart has its origin in Christian scripture.

"Mary treasured all these things and reflected on them in her heart. " ( Lk 2: 19 ) and " His mother meanwhile kept all these things in her heart. " (Lk 2:51 ) We are told in Deuteronomy that "You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, and with all your soul and with all your strength." ( Dt. 6:5 )

Mary certainly followed that commandment all her life through great trials and uncertainty, even when she was very confused about what was happening to her.

Any time we are afraid, let's ask Mary to pray with us. Her advice to us is the same as it was to the servants at the wedding in Cana: "Do whatever He tells you." (Jn 2: 5)