Upon hearing that Valentine’s Day has Catholic origins, you might assume that society has twisted it to seem like a strictly romantic holiday. However, its origins were in fact romantic from the start. It all began with a holy priest named Valentine sometime in the 3rd century AD. 

Known as the patron saint of lovers, Saint Valentine is almost no more than a legend. Little evidence exists of who he was or when exactly he was born. Most stories of his life are considered no more than myths. 

In 496 AD, however, these truth-filled legends caused Pope Gelasius to make the date of St. Valentine’s death, Feb. 14, his feast day. Though this feast day was later removed from the liturgical calendar due to lack of evidence for Valentine’s martyrdom, as well as the fact that there were multiple Valentines killed for the faith around the same time, its origin of love still stands and influences the secular celebration today.

The romantic aspect of Valentine’s Day most likely comes from the very act that landed Saint Valentine in jail and sentenced to death. Around 260 AD, Emperor Claudius had banned young men from getting married due to the idea that unmarried men made better soldiers. Valentine, however, upheld the Church’s vision of marriage and began helping Christian couples get married in secret.

Emperor Claudius became enraged after finding out what had been happening, arresting Valentine and threatening his execution if he did not denounce his faith. When Valentine did not comply, he was executed and is now known as a martyr in the Catholic Church. Whether or not this story is wholly true or exaggerated, it stands as a wonderful reference for true Christianity in the face of adversity. 

Through his actions, Saint Valentine showed that he viewed marriage as a holy and God-given right that could not be taken away, even if one might be killed for it. He gave up his own life to defend the Sacrament of Matrimony and, ultimately, his faith. Knowing that marriages were illegal at the time, he treated them as any priest would a “banned” sacrament, performing them quietly and undercover. 

While in prison, Valentine continued acting as a priest and supposedly performed a few miraculous healings. In an article published by Christianity.com, writer Britt Mooney reveals one of these legends. She writes, “he befriended the jailer and his daughter, supposedly praying for her and miraculously restoring her sight. Rome sentenced Valentine to execution, and on the night before his death, he sent the jailer’s daughter a note signed, ‘from your Valentine.’” People have been led to believe that this is where the tradition comes from to send become someone’s valentine on Valentines Day. 

Around the 14th century, it became more popular among Christian couples to write love letters to each other. That same time, the Roman Catholic Church officially saw Valentine’s Day as a day for romance. Though the day is no longer officially seen by the Catholic Church as a day dedicated to Saint Valentine, the memory of his good works will be remembered for many years to come.  The symbolism and sacrifice involved in becoming the “valentine” to someone you love is an inherently Catholic idea. This Valentine’s Day, thank Saint Valentine and strive to show love in a pure and sacrificial way like he did.