Ruby Red Heart Valentines Rosary

ITEM # RSS8

1 Corinthians 13: 4-8
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast,
it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking,
it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails.

A History of Saint Valentine

At least one Saint Valentine existed according to ancient Roman texts. They mention two Saint Valentines. One was a priest and one a bishop. Both were put to death on the Flaminian Way on February 14 between 269 and 273 AD. Some scholars believe that the two records may have been about the same person.

Saint Valentine was only 20 years old when consecrated. For 73 years, Saint Valentine built up his diocese in the face of persecution by preaching, tending to the sick and visiting Christians jailed for refusing to renounce their faith. He is described as a brave, righteous and wise man and a kind and conscientious friend to those in need. Saint Valentine also cared deeply for the young. He taught young lovers to read and write so they could send letters to one another, presented flowers to newlyweds and helped married couples with difficulties. When the Roman emperor outlawed marriage in order to add to the ranks of his army, Saint Valentine kept performing secret marriages in defiance of the new Roman law. In 270, Roman Emperor Claudius II or Claudius the Goth, had Saint Valentine incarcerated. While in prison, he was said to have healed the daughter of a prison official, resulting in the conversion of the official and his family. Saint Valentine was beaten and beheaded at the age of 93, martyred for his faith.

The Catholic Church officially dropped his holiday from its calendar in 1969, but the traditions remain. This secular holiday still ranks second, just shy of Christmas, in the giving of cards and the most popular day for giving flowers. Though his deeds have now faded into legend, Saint Valentine still deserves due recognition for his unwavering faith and sacrifices to keep true love and romance alive and well in a wonderful holiday that spans the entire world.