VALENTINE'S DAY

Happy Valentine's day to all. I hope you have a sunny and Happy day.

St. Valentine was actually a priest of Rome and not much was known about him. He is commemorated in the mass of the day and was a martyr during the early Christian era under the reign of Pope Claudius III. His death and burial day is February 14th and his birthday is April 16th. It is said he aided the Christians and married Christian couples for which actions he was caught and arrested, put into prison and later martyred. Anyone helping Christians was a crime and punishable by death. He was beatened and stoned and finally beheaded near the Flaminian Gate around the year 269-273. St. Valentine had refused to give up his faith,his love for God. It is said he even tried to convert the Emperor Cladius, who had apperently taken a liking to the priest. A church was built in his memory by Pope Julius I, and some of his relics now can be seen at the Church of St. Praxedes in Rome as well as in Dublin ,Ireland. St. Valentine is the patron saint of couples engaged or to be engaged, the young adults and travelers,and the bee keepers. He also is the saint we envoke for epilepsy or fainting episodes. You will see him pictured with roses and birds about.

As for that special date on Valentines, we girls always hope for that dozen bright red roses, maybe dinner....who knows ? Perhaps an engagement ring.... or at least a promise ring. Now some guys will ask what that is..promise ring what?  It seems to be more popular in Canada, where guys give the girl they will exclusively date a ring stating that they are "promised to date her alone." Sounds good, doesn't it? A friend of mine recently got engaged, and I ended up doing her engagement photos on Saturday following the Betrothal ceremony.(By the way, she got a promise ring last Christmas!) When I was viewing the photos afterward, I could see how much the couple cared about each other, in their facial expressions and poses,as well as what they said. It was exciting to see! Both are tradtional Catholics and they want to get married early summer. Things are  happening so fast...It is happening right now! I told her to enjoy this engagement period as she spends more and more time to know her man, and she is now getting so busy with wedding preparations. I should mention that this same  friend of mine previously  went to the convent first to check out if she had a vocation, and when she left, I know she was so sad and dsiappointed; but God always had good plans for her, and now she is soooo happy. So to all those looking for love out there, be patient!

Happy Valentine's Day!