Valentine was a priest who lived during the Roman Empire around 300 A.D. There is a lot of mystery surrounding the facts and the legend. It is commonly known that as a priest he was very supportive of marriage and became known for performing many. And, he did so though the Emperor Claudius eventually outlawed marriage for young men because he wanted them to be loyal to him as soldiers and not be concerned with wives and children.

It came to a head, and eventually Valentine was arrested and put in a Rome jail. It was there that the Emperor, who liked him, finally discovered that the priest would not repent. And, around Feb. 14, 270 A.D, he was martyred. Even in jail he was known for his compassion and dedication to the Christian God. During his imprisonment, he became very fond of the jailer’s daughter, who was blind. She would write to him, “Dear Valentine.” Legend has it that Valentine, before his death, healed her, thus cementing his eventual sainthood.

So, in light of his dedication to marriage, he was known then for the emphasis on romantic love, not lustful love. Now, Valentine’s Day is huge world around and young men dig deep to honor their valentines with gifts. The 14th was honored as a saintly one in the 13th century and by the 1700s, cards became popular.

As a priest, Valentine during his lifetime exhibited not only courage and resolve, but he also embodied the “love” depicted in the “love chapter,” First Corinthians 13, where the apostle Paul describes it as “patient, kind, not envious nor boastful, not proud. It does not dishonor others and is not self-seeking. It is not easily angered and it keeps no record of wrongs. It does not delight in evil, but rejoices in the truth. It always protects, trusts, hopes and perseveres.”

Could we Americans today use more compassion, care, love and understanding?

I like romantic love and St. Paul’s description in Corinthians. Romantic love can fade, but not eternal Christly love.