Happy Valentine’s Day!!! This day is a wonderful time to reflect on the power of faith, hope and love. St. Valentine was an early Christian martyr who died for his beliefs in the third century AD. His life stands as a reminder of our shared commitment to living out our faith in all aspects of our lives – even when faced with what many see as hopelessness. As we celebrate this day, let us remember that faith and love are strong enough to give us courage and hope in a hopeless world- just like St. Valentine had centuries ago!
Here are a few fun facts about Valentine’s Day:
- On the day of St. Valentine’s execution, he wrote a note to Asterius’ daughter – the child he had healed from blindness and befriended. According to legend, he signed the letter “from your Valentine”.
- The oldest known Valentine’s Day card is believed to have originated from 15th century England.
- Chocolate and candy are popular gifts for loved ones on Valentine’s Day.
- More than 36 million heart-shaped boxes of chocolates are sold each year on Feb 14th.
- In medieval times, girls ate certain fruits and nuts on Valentine’s Day to determine their future husbands name.
- Each year more 1 billion cards are sent around the world on this day.
- In Japan, Valentine’s Day is celebrated with the gift of white chocolate and marshmallow confectionaries known as “giri choco” – meaning “obligatory chocolate”.
- On this day in 1876 Alexander Graham Bell applied for a patent for the telephone.
- Approximately 85% of all valentine’s cards are purchased by women.
- Other names for Valentines day include “the Feast of Saint Valentine” or “Saint-Valentin”.
Valentine’s Day is a special occasion for many, and although it has become commercialized over the years, at its core it celebrates the hope of the gospel. Let us remember St. Valentine’s courage in standing up for his beliefs even when faced with persecution and death. As we celebrate this day of love together let us also be reminded to show our Faith, Hope and Love every single day – just like St. Valentine did centuries ago!
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. -1 Corinthians 13:13
