St. Valentine of Rome

Biography of St. Valentine

St. Valentine of Rome was a martyr and a saint of the Catholic Church, who lived in the 3rd century. He is traditionally celebrated as the patron saint of lovers, and his feast day on February 14th has become synonymous with the celebration of Valentine’s Day. However, the historical information about him is limited and shrouded in legends, so there is uncertainty as to the identity and actions of St. Valentine.

Valentine was born in Rome in the 3rd century and was raised as a Christian. According to one legend, he was a priest during the reign of Emperor Claudius II. Claudius was known for his persecution of Christians and he issued an edict forbidding marriages and engagements of young men, since he believed that single men made better soldiers.

Valentine, however, is said to have defied this edict and secretly married couples. When he was discovered, he was arrested and brought before the emperor. Claudius was not impressed by Valentine’s arguments that love was a virtue and a gift of God, and instead, he ordered him to be tortured and executed.

According to another legend, Valentine was imprisoned for healing the blind daughter of his jailer and for converting the jailer and his family to Christianity. He was martyred for his faith on February 14th, either in the year 269 or 273 AD.

Valentine was buried at a cemetery on the Flaminian Way, now known as the Piazza di Santa Maria in Cosmedin. During the Middle Ages, his relics were moved to the Church of Santa Maria in Cosmedin and later to the Church of Saint Praxedes.

Valentine’s name was added to the Roman Martyrology, a list of martyrs and saints venerated by the Catholic Church, in the 14th century and he is recognized as a saint by the Catholic Church. However, there are several accounts of a Saint Valentine and it is uncertain which one of them is the Saint Valentine celebrated on February 14th.

Valentine’s connection to romantic love and courtship is a later development, it is believed to have originated in the High Middle Ages, as a connection to the ideals of courtly love and chivalry. The association of Valentine’s Day with romantic love has its roots in the poetry of Chaucer and shakespeare rather than in any historical facts about the saint.

Despite the uncertainty about St. Valentine’s life, he is remembered for his devotion to God and for his selfless actions in the face of persecution, and continues to be honored as a saint by the Catholic Church.

Who is the Real St. Valentine of Rome

In the early martyrologies there are three different St. Valentines mentioned with a shared feast date of February 14. One was a holy Priest of Rome who was martyred under the Emperor Aurelian in 270; another was Bishop of Interamna modern Terni), who also suffered in the second half of the 3rd century, and was buried on the Flaminian Wav, Of the third St. Valentine, who suffered in Africa with a number of companions, nothing further is known.

The Origin of Valentine’s Day

The popular customs of celebrating St. Valentines Day no doubt had their origin in a conventional belief generally accepted in England and France during the Middle Ages, that on February 14, that is, half way through the second month of the year, the birds begin to pair. For this reason the day was considered as specially consecrated to lovers and as a favorable time for writing love letters and sending lover’s gifts.

Prayers to St. Valentine of Rome

Saint Valentine, Pray for Us.

O glorious advocate and protector, Saint Valentine, look with pity upon our wants, hear our requests, attend to our prayers, relieve by your intercession the miseries under which we labor, and obtain for us the Divine blessing, that we may be found worthy to join thee in praising the Almighty for all eternity; through the merits of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Pray, then, O holy Martyr, for the faithful, who are so persevering in celebrating thy memory. The day of Judgment will reveal to us all thy glorious merits. Oh! intercede for us, that we may then be made thy companions at the right hand of the Great Judge, and be united with thee eternally in heaven.

Let us pray: Grant, we beseech thee, O Almighty God, that we who solemnize the festival of blessed Valentine, Thy Martyr, may, by his intercession, be delivered from all the evils that threaten us. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

(Mention your intentions here)

Saint Valentine, advocate and protector, pray for us.

 

Prayer to St. Valentine for Engaged Couples Entering Marriage

St. Valentine, guide our hearts as we prepare ourselves for marriage.
O glorious advocate and protector, St. Valentine,
Look with pity upon our wants, hear our prayers,
relieve by your intercession the miseries under which we labor,
and obtain for us the divine blessing, that we may be found
worthy to join you in praising the Almighty for all eternity:
through the merits of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
Amen.

 

Prayer for Seeking a Suitable Spouse

Dear Lord, help me to find someone I can truly love who will love me as well. Someone with whom I can gladly share my thoughts, my feelings, indeed my life! Someone with whom I may raise a family in accordance with your will to share your love and give you Glory. May he [or she] be a vessel of joy in good times and a firm pillar of prudent support in bad. Let neither of us forget that you are there to help us in all cases with your help, guidance, and grace. Let me be discerning and not seek someone solely out of loneliness, but out of love for you and my potential spouse. May this be someone I like as well as love, and may we share a deep bond of trust in each other throughout our married lives, until death do us part. Don’t let carnal or other purely worldly desires cloud my judgment about getting married. Help me to listen to the voice of your Holy Spirit instead in this important matter. Heavenly Father, I ask all these things through Christ our Lord, Amen.

 

Prayer to St. Valentine of Rome

Dear St. Valentine,

Patron saint of lovers, I come to you today to ask for your intercession in my life. Help me to grow in love, both for others and for God. Inspire me to be a faithful and loving partner, just as you were.

Grant me the courage to love boldly and selflessly, just as Jesus loves me. May my relationships be built on mutual trust, respect, and a deep understanding of one another.

Dear St. Valentine, I pray that you will guide and bless my relationships, both romantic and platonic. May I always strive to love others as Jesus would have me do.

Amen.

Prayer for a Happy Relationship

Dear St. Valentine,

I ask for your intercession in my relationship. May the love between [partner’s name] and I continue to grow and flourish. May we support one another in all our endeavors, and may we be there for each other in good times and bad.

Help us to always communicate openly and honestly, and to never give up on each other. May we work together to build a strong foundation of love, trust, and mutual respect.

St. Valentine, I pray that our love will be a shining example to others, and that it will bring glory to God. May we always be grateful for each other and for the blessings that God has given us.

Amen.

Prayer for Singles Seeking Love

Dear St. Valentine,

I ask for your intercession as I seek a loving and supportive partner. May I always have the courage to be true to myself, and may I never compromise my values or beliefs for the sake of a relationship.

Grant me the wisdom to choose wisely, and may I never settle for anything less than a loving and supportive partner who is dedicated to building a life together.

Dear St. Valentine, I pray that you will guide me to the person who is meant to be by my side. May our love be strong, deep, and lasting, and may it bring us closer to God.

Amen.

St. Valentine of Rome: Patron Saint of Lovers, Happy Marriages, and Epileptics

St. Valentine of Rome was a 3rd-century martyr and is recognized as the patron saint of lovers, happy marriages, and epileptics.

Patron Saint of Lovers: St. Valentine of Rome has become associated with romantic love due to the ancient tradition of honoring him on February 14th as the patron saint of lovers. It is believed that he performed secret marriages for young couples during a time when the Roman Empire banned marriages to ensure that young men remained soldiers. The act of exchanging love letters and gifts on February 14th is thought to have originated from the celebration of St. Valentine’s feast day.

Patron Saint of Happy Marriages: St. Valentine of Rome is also considered the patron saint of happy marriages due to his association with love and romance. He is invoked for his intercession to help couples maintain a strong and loving relationship and to bring happiness to married couples.

Patron Saint of Epileptics: St. Valentine of Rome is also considered the patron saint of epileptics. It is believed that he had the power to heal people with epilepsy, and those suffering from the condition would seek his intercession for healing and relief.

In summary, St. Valentine of Rome is the patron saint of lovers, happy marriages, and epileptics due to his association with love and romance, his role in performing secret marriages, and his reputed ability to heal people with epilepsy.” “

Reflection on the feast day of St. Valentine of Rome

The feast day of St. Valentine of Rome is on February 14th.

As we celebrate the feast day of St. Valentine of Rome, we are called to reflect on the life and legacy of this early Christian martyr, who is remembered for his deep faith and devotion to God. Not much is known about the life of St. Valentine, but legend says that he was a priest who served during the 3rd century and was imprisoned and executed for his belief in Jesus Christ.

One of the most striking aspects of St. Valentine’s life is his courage and willingness to suffer for his faith. Despite the persecution he faced, he remained steadfast in his belief in God and refused to renounce his faith. His example continues to inspire us today as we are called to be courageous in our own faith and to stand up for what we believe in, even in the face of adversity.

St. Valentine is also remembered as a symbol of love and devotion. Though the exact origins of the connection between St. Valentine and romantic love are unclear, the tradition of Valentine’s Day as a day for expressing love and affection for others can be seen as a way to honor St. Valentine’s devotion and sacrifice for his love of God.

As we celebrate the feast day of St. Valentine of Rome, let us remember the power of love and devotion in our own lives. Let us strive to follow his example, dedicating ourselves to God and to the pursuit of love and compassion for all people. May his legacy and intercession help us to become more loving and compassionate in our own lives, just as he was.

In conclusion, St. Valentine of Rome’s feast day is a reminder of the importance of love and devotion in our lives. He was known for his courage and willingness to suffer for his faith. He is remembered as a symbol of love and devotion, his example continues to inspire us to be courageous in our faith and to stand up for what we believe in. May his intercession guide us in our journey towards holiness and help us to become more loving and compassionate in our own lives.

Discover biographies, prayers, and reflections for more than 400 Catholic Saints

Saints Similar to St. Valentine of Rome

You may also be interested in reading the Biography of St. Valentine of Rome. St. Valentine of Rome and St. Valentine of Terni are both associated with the feast of St. Valentine, celebrated on February 14, although there is some historical ambiguity about their identities. Next up: Biography of St. Veronica

 

Also check out our handmade St. Valentine of Rome Medal and St. Valentine of Rome Rosary and St. Valentine of Rome Rosary Bracelet .