A Rerun from 2018: A Different Kind of Valentine's Day

Photo Courtesy of Microsoft

Dear Ladies,

I hope that everyone is feeling well, doing good, and sharing her joie de vivre with those in her sphere of influence.

February 14 is the day that most Christians the world over commemorate the martyrdom of Saint Valentine of Italy who was killed for his faith.  From the Martyrology for February 14, we learn the following:

At Rome, on the Flaminian road, in the time of the emperor Claudius, the birthday of blessed Valentine, priest and martyr, who after having cured and instructed many persons, was beaten with clubs and beheaded.   Also, at Rome, the holy martyrs Vitalis, Felicula, and Zeno. 

At Teramo, St. Valentine, bishop and martyr, who was scourged, committed to prison, and as he remained unshaken in his faith, was taken out of his dungeon in the dead of night and beheaded by order of  Placidus, prefect of the city.  In the same place, the holy martyrs Proculus, Ephebus and Apollonius, who, whilst watching by the body of St. Valentine, were arrested and put to the sword by the command of the ex-consul Leontius. 

Thus, although we don't know a great deal about Saint Valentine's daily life, we do know that he gave his life to the service of God, that he was faithful unto death, and that he was beloved by those who knew  him.  What Saint Valentine teaches me is the value of love in action via commitment, sacrifice, and humility: in marriage; in motherhood; in widowhood. 

Enjoy the candy, admire the card, arrange the bouquet: balance that with a remembrance that true love is a giving, sacrificial thing.  

I hope that my little "woman-to-woman" ideas have helped.

Agape always,
Cynthia