The Story of Saint Valentine

How much do students of Catholic schools know about him?

Here are 6 facts you may not have known about St. Valentine.

 

There is more than one St. Valentine

The name "Valentinus"—from the Latin word for worthy, strong or powerful—was a popular moniker between the second and eighth centuries A.D., so several martyrs over the centuries have carried this name. The official Roman Catholic roster of saints shows about a dozen who were named Valentine or some variation thereof.

 

 

Saint Valentine of Rome

The St. Valentine commonly known as the patron saint of lovers lived in a time when the Roman Emperor Claudius II persecuted members of the Church.  He prohibited the marriage of young people.

 

He healed a girl's blindness.

As a Bishop, Valentine had been asked to prove the validity of Jesus. St. Valentine was presented with a Judges blind daughter, and asked to restore her sight. By placing his hands on her eyes, Valentine restored her sight.

 

St. Valentine was a martyr for his beliefs

While trying to convert Emperor Claudius II to Christianity, Claudius became angry and commanded Valentine to renounce his faith. Despite the orders of Claudius, Valentine refused and died in martyrdom for his beliefs.

 

He gave the first valentine.

On the day of his execution, St. Valentine left the Judge's formerly blind daughter a note that read "Your Valentine."

 

St. Valentine is the patron Saint of many things

As you can see, Saints have many duties; St Valentine is the patron saint of traveling, engaged couples, beekeepers and happy marriages.  He is also called upon to intercede against fainting, epilepsy and the plague.

 

This Valentine's day, take some time to give thanks for the loves in our lives, especially  the students of our WNY Catholic schools.

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